MOB VIOLENCE IN INDIA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 12 August 1942, Page 5

MOB VIOLENCE IN INDIA

Public Property Wrecked BOMBAY THE STORM CENTRE (Rec. 11.55 a.m.) London, Aug. 11. Twenty-eight were killed and 200 injured in rioting throughout India up to 4 o’clock this afternoon. The Governor of Bombay, Sir Roger Lumley, broadcasting, said: "l am going to maintain order at any cost. I now give plain warning that troops and police have been ordered to take the strongest measures wherever necessary.” Further Government measures against rioting include the application of the Emergency Whipping Act. Rioting in the northern sector of Bombay City took a grave turn to-day. It is now unsafe for anyone to appear in this area wearing a western hat or necktie. The police opened fire at four places this morning and the troops on two occasions participated in firing on riotous crowds, but, as when the police were involved, only a few shots were fired each time. Troops patrolling in armoured cars discouraged demonstrators considerably in other cities. Reports indicate that Poona and Ahmadabad are quiet. The arrests of prominent members of the Congress Party continue in various provinces, the Provincial Governments implementing the banning of Congress Committees. I he authorities at Allahabad have prohibited all processions and meetings for ten days. The position in North Bombay worsened this afternoon with the dislocation of suburban rail services. A large crowd attacked the Matunga railway station, smashing indicators, invading the booking office, and pulling down ticket shelves. The crowd then broke up into groups, smashing fire hydrants, fire alarms and lamp posts. The Matunga post office has been closed after the cutting oE the telegraph and telephone wire. Rioters also cut several gas mains. Bonfires in the streets were fed with trees uprooted from the streets, hats, neckties and other articles of European clothing snatched from passers-by, also copies of the British-owned “Times of India” newspaper.

There was no trading on any markets in Bombay to-day. Schools and colleges closed or had very scanty attendances. Mobs of students demonstrated. par_ ading in shops to prevent them reopening. The East India Cotton Association, the biggest cotton market in India, is closing until 15th August. More mills closed in Bombay. Disturbances occurred in Delhi's busiest street this morning. Rioters after setting fire to a fire engine and lorry attempted to set fire to the municipal hall. The police opened fire killing one and wounding one. British troops were called out and are now patrolling the area. Earlier dispatches from India report that demonstrations accompanied by indiscriminate violence and wrecking of public property, continued to-day in parts of Bombay and Delhi. Communications were interrupted and stones thrown at the police, who used lathis and tear gas. but fired when the mobs did not disperse. The police were supported by troops with sub-machine guns. Several deaths are reported. Poona and Ahmadabad were quieter. Several schools and colleges in various places are reported closed, the students having gone on strike.

FIFTEEN DEATHS IN BOMBAY

Earlier reports indicate that Bombay remains the Indian storm centre. The city’s deathroll yesterday and to-day' is estimated at 15. More than 60 were taken to hospital to-day. mostly with bullet wounds. After ugly day disturbances, which were more serious late in the evening, the police were again forced to open fire at several places. Troops were called out at Bombay, New Delhi, and Lucknow. Bombay rail traffic was dislocated during attacks on railway stations, in which large numbers of rioters are believed to have been wounded. All markets are closed and buses and trams are not operating on some routes. A message from Bombay states that the city has almost completely resumed normal life. A few of the 70 mills have shut down. It is clear that Congress is not receiving support from other parties, and it looks as though the Government's promptitude clashed civil disobedience. Last night’s curfew completely cleared the streets and anyone abroad was immediately arrested. The mob element was again busy in some areas in the morning. Many shops were closed in Calcutta and work interrupted at some of the jute mills. At Nagpur students struck and shops were shut. Crowds at New Delhi were in uglier mood than the previous day. They forced the remaining shops—mostly Moslem—to close down. The police did not interfere beyond guarding banks and other buildings and pushing rioters off tramlines, enabling the empty trams to move on. Most of the local leaders disappeared to avoid arrest. The mobs are virtually leaderless. A crowd which tried to reach the Viceroy was led by women.

ATTITUDE OF SIKHS

Sardar Baldev, Development Minister in the Punjab, stated that the Sikhs would not tolerate any subversive movement calculated to weaken the W’ar effort.

MOB FIRED ON AT CAWNPORE

London, Aug. 11. The New Delhi correspondent of the Associated Pres§ of Great Britain says the Cawnpore police opened fire after being stoned by an excited mob. Eight persons were sent to hospital, two in a Serious condition. A Government order forbids newspaper headlines reflecting editorial opinion, requires the registration of

all correspondents, and reiterates it* determination to prevent publication of any matter arousing sympathy for the Congress campaign.—P.A.

“COWARDLY BETRAYAL”

ATTITUDE OF CONGRESS CONDEMNED (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) London, Aug. 11. Major Sir Sirdar Sikandcr HyatKhan, Premier of the Punjab, visiting troops in the Western Desert, said Congress's unpatriotic attitude is a cowardly betrayal of the motherland and of hundreds of thousands of their gallant countrymen who are shedding their blood thousands of miles from home to save India from subjugation to Fascism. “I. am confident all patriotic Indians will see to it that the men fighting our battles are not betrayed.”—P.A.