Demonstrations In India Are Sporadic, Limited

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1942, Page 3

Demonstrations In India Are Sporadic, Limited

rßritish Official Wireless] (Rec. 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY. August 13. The latest official information from India leaves no doubt as to the sporadic and limited character of the demonstrations that have so far occurred. Authorities have the situation completely in hand. There is no indication of any widespread mass movement. The countryside is not affected, and there is virtually no interference with the war effort. In Calcutta, where there are no repercussions to the arrests of Congress Farty leaders, the few shops which closed have reopened. The reported closing of some jute mills has no political significance, and is .attributable to trade factors. No reports of disturbances come from the outlying districts. Bengal disturbances were confined to a few cities, such as Bombay and Ahmadabad, which ai’e Congress strongholds and contain hooligan elements of easily provoked and hot-headed students. Not On Big Scale Messages from India show that rioting has been restricted to some three or four places during the daytime, and there is no apprehension in London of mass disorder on the scale of the previous outbreak. The stern measures threatened by the Governor of Bombay apparently have not yet had to be taken. The campaign, for which there seems to be no universal enthusiasm, even on the part of the Congress Party supporters is entirely unsupported by any other section of any party, whether Hindu or Moslem, and is expressly denounced by organised labour. The possibility is recognised that racial and communal disorder unconnected with t.he original campaign may break out, but the_lndian Government is known to be capable of dealing with such trouble. Britain’s Desire The fact that distinguished Indians who form the majority of the Viceroy's Executive Council readily shared responsibility for the action taken is regarded as a valuable sign of the sense of shared responsibility and recognition by the Indians of the necessity for solidarity. Responsible opinion in London continues to_ welcome constructive Indian aspirations for more active participation in the war. Attainment of such co-operation is the essential object of the Cripps Plan, which, the British Government have just declared, remains the basis of their policy. The folly of Congress Party leaders is indeed regarded as making even more urgent the need to associate representative leaders of India with the defence of their country in its hour of danger. Condemns Violence Congress speakers at a big meeting at New Delhi appealed for strict observance of non-violence. The “Hindustan Times”, which is edited by Gandhi’s son, condemns violence and says Congress will not escape disgrace if violence continues. The British United Press Bombay correspondent says the trouble is spreading from the north of Bombay to more fashionable areas. Stretcher parties are active all day. Casualties today were 16 killed and over 30 injured. Armoured cars and lorries carrying troops armed with tommy-guns are patrolling the streets and several hundred police have been brought in to reinforce the City force which is normally 7000. Shriek Defiance Scores of unescorted women are calmly shopping in the European centre. Only a few miles away, students and workers roam the streets shrieking defiance at the British. A violent mob broke into six police posts at Poona last evening smashing furniture and burning documents. The “Daily Express” New Delhi correspondent says most shops are barred, but many are trading from the back door. Officials do not think the trouble will become really serious. New Delhi Situation Ugly It is officially reported that an angry crowd killed a Moslem police subinspector near the Railway Clearing Accounts Office which was burned out. The situation became ugly this morning owing to the activities of a large crowd of mill-workers. The Town Hall was practically destroyed by fire, the Income Tax Office was burned down and many pillar-boxes were uprooted. Police and troops were frequently forced to open fire. Numerous mill-workers and students were arrested. Strong military reinforcements have arrived, and troops are patrolling the streets.