THE BOMBAY RIOTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21648, 19 May 1932, Page 7

THE BOMBAY RIOTS

SITUATION BECOMING WORSE LOOTING AND INCENDIARISM DEATH ROLL MOUNTING (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) CALCUTTA, May 17. Persistent rioting in Bombay resulted in the despatch of further troops to the city. The trouble is becoming worse. There were further attacks to-day. Seven people were killed and 50 injured, making the total over 70 dead and 730 injured. There was tense excitement in the city. The trouble is spreading to the European shopping centre. The police thrice fired on a Moslem crowd who set fire to a Hindu dwelling, injuring many persons. The difficulties of the situation have ■ been increased by the temporary closure of 30 cotton mills. Thousands of operatives are lolling about in the streets, ripe for mischief. Communal frenzy reached a climax last night, mobs looting and burning shops and houses and making street bonfires of their contents. Many centres are practically besieged. Hindu and Moslem mobs savagely battled with knives, and the hospitals arc filled with injured and dying. Thousands arc fleeing from the city. EFFORTS OF BRITISH TROOPS TROUBLE SPREADS TO CALCUTTA. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, May 17. The presence of British troops patrolling the disturbed areas in Bombay had a salutary effect to-day. The tension was heightened by the fact that it was the Moharram (Moslem) new year. The police and troops are displaying complete impartiality towards the rioters. An order forbidding movement during night time and prohibiting assemblies of more than five people has been issued. The Governor of Bombay (Sir Frederick Sykes) to-day drove through the disturbed areas. There was also a clash between Moslems and Hindus at Calcutta to-day, and during the efforts to restore order deputy officers and constables were struck by flying missiles. Several civilians were also hurt.