COMMUNAL RIOTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22631, 24 July 1935, Page 9

COMMUNAL RIOTING

MOSLEMS AND HINDUS THE TROUBLE SPREADING HOMBAY, July 22. The communal unrest has spread to Malerkotla, where 5000 Moslems* attempted to interfere with Hindu worship, but were prevented by the police. Twelve hundred were arrested. The mob is still defiant. PEACE EFFORTS CONTINUED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 22. The disturbances at Lahore occasioned by a dispute between the Sikh and Mahommcdan communities regarding the ownership of a temple, were the subject of a question in the House of Commons, in reply to which Mr R. A. Butler stated that fresh trouble had broken out during the week-end. Large crowds of Moslems assembling with the object of proceeding to Shahigganj and Gurdwara had assumed a violent attitude towards the police, and, despite charges by the police and mounted police, refused to .disperse. Firing became necessary on two occasions on Saturday after all other efforts to disperse the crowds had failed, and after a warning had been issued by magistrates, and again on three occasions on Sunday. In all 23 rounds were fired. The number killed was reported not to exceed 10. He added that it was reported that the situation was under control and that responsible Moslems were doing their best to persude their co-religionists to desist from defiance of the law.

Express messages from Lahore indicate that the peace efforts are being continued, and that the situation is well in hand.