RIOTS IN INDIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3397, 23 April 1919, Page 37

RIOTS IN INDIA.

(By Cable.) LONDON, April 14. Serious riots have broken out at Lahore and Allahabad', and some Europeans have been murdered. Martial law has been proclaimed at Lahore. An aeroplane bombed and dis persed a mob which attacked a train. The Press Bureau reports that although the observance of a day of humiliation in India on April 6 led to no serious disturbances, Gandhi and Mrs Naidu addressed a meeting of Mohammedans at Bombay, at which inflammatory language was employed regarding events in Egypt. The crowd then developed rowdiness. A meeting at Frenchbridge of unprecedented magnitude was exhorted by Gandhi to refrain from violence. * The Viceroy on the 14th inst. reported that Gandhi was forbidden to go'to Delhi or Punjab, where the position was serious, Ke having threatened to break certain laws. Gandhi disobeyed, and was sent back to Bombav. SIMLA, April 14. The Governor-general has published a special Gazette regarding the present agitation against the Rowlatt Act, which purely aims at anarchical and revolutionary crimes. The Government deplores the agitations in Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, and Lahore, and the graver murderous attacks on defenceless individuals in Amritsar and Ahmedabad, and the wanton destruction of private and public property. The Governor-general expresses gratitude for the loyalty of the unofficial Indians who protected those threatened by the mob at Amritsar, where the loss of life might have been greater. The Government intends to prevent the recurrence of excesses by all means in its power, and will not hesitate to employ ample military resources to suppress outrages. LONDON, April 14. Mr Montagu (Secretary of. State- for India) announced in the House of Commons that further riots had broken out in India, and that the city telegraph offices at Lahore, Allahabad, and Amritsar have been destroyed by fire, with some loss of life, including Europeans. April 15. The Press Bureau reports that Amritsar and Lahore are quiet. Twelve important arrests have been made. An open rebellion exists between these places, where the military are taking action. Bombay and Ahmedabad are quiet, but a serious- disturbance has occurred at Veiramgam, where several buildings were destroyed. The rioters' losses at Ahmedabad were heavy. Business has been suspended in Calcutta till April 22. The mob "was violent, and the military were called out. The mob stoned a picket, who fired on the crowd, killing six and wounding 12. Mohammedan marwaris fraternised, and Hindus were admitted to the mosque. April 18. Government reports from India state that the shops are reopening in. Lahore and Amritsar. Several agitators have been arrested, and some have been deported. The railway station at Gujranwala, 42 miles: north-west of Lahore, has been burned. The staff was injured and the line damaged. Martial law has been extended. During the riots 50 Sepoys faced a mob of 5000, and dispersed it £y firing. The situation in Delhi, Bombay City, and Calcutta is quiet. In the Ahmedabad district Ghandi appealed to crowded meetings on April 14 to forswear violence. Two outlying police posts have been burned, and the Treasury at Viramgam, about 40 miles west of Ahmedabad, has been looted. Strikes are threatened on two railways, and. the Punjab communications are seriously threatened. Other official reports state that serious riots broke out in Amritsar, following the removal of Kichlu and Satyaphal, two virulent agitators. Two banks in Townsville were burned, and three bank managers have been burned to death. Five Europeans were killed during the rioting, and nine rioters were killed and 21 injured. Troops have been sent, and order has now been restored. Disturbances also occurred at Lahore and Ahmedabad. Two Government buildings were burned in the latter city. Bombay is disturbed. Several persons were injured on April 12. The mob's temper is bad, but Ghandi's return on the whole had a tranquilising effect.