UNREST IN INDIA

Otago Witness, Issue 3526, 11 October 1921, Page 14

UNREST IN INDIA

THE DORSETS AMBUSHED. DELHI, October 3. The Dorsets were ambushed and Colonel Herbert and Quartermaster Harvey were wounded, the latter fatally. At the same time the artillery was ambushed at 50 yards range. The leading gun wheeled about and poured shrapnel into the forest. Details are lacking. The military situation in the Aloplah districts is difficult, owing to the wild and densely-wooded country; consequently the present forces are unable firmly to cope with the guerrilla tactic* of the rebels. Further reinforcements are being sent. Five thousand Aloplahs attacked Christians working in a tile factory at Edacolam. They killed one and fatally wounded five. It is reported that 34 Hindus and two loyal Moplahs were beheaded at Thurvur for helping the troops. Several smaller outrages are reported. VIRULENT PLAGUE OUTBREAK. DELHI, October 5. Two hundred armed Aloplahs raided tne Police Station at Kuttipuram. They wounded five of the police. Diabolical outrages upon Hindus ar.e reported. They were forced t-o dig their own graves before being butchered. One was flayed alive because he had helped the troops. Two police were hacked to death near N ilambur. Refugees are pouring into the districts occupied by the troops, making provisioning a question of great difficulty. Virulent plague is raging at Jubbulpore. One hundred deaths daily' axe reported. EXTREAIISTS’ AT A Ni l ESTO. DELHI, October 5. At a meeting at Bombay Gandhi and 50 other extremists leaders issued a manifesto claiming that in view of the prosecution of the Ali brothers it is the inherent right of everyone to express his unrestrained opinion about offering his services or remaining in the service of the Government, whether in a civil or a, military capacity, more especially the latter. The manifesto adds that it is the duty- of every Indian soldier and civilian to sever his connection with the Government and find other employment. SLAUGHTER OF HINDUS CON TIXUES. DELHI, October 6. An engagement between a detachment of the Suffolk Regiment and a body >f Aloplahs resulted in 50 of the latter being killed. Another engagement is reported at Mannarghat but no details are available Reinforcements are gathering at Calicut preparatory to more extended operations against the rebels, who are reported to be continuing the slaughter of Hindus who refuse to join Islam. Hundreds of Moplahs who participated in the rising are being arrested daily. The self-crowned “ Rajah of Tirur ” and some other leaders received sentences of seven years’ imprisonment. Five hundred Moplahs engaged a detachment of Suffolks near Kumarampu thur. Between 40 and 50 Moplahs were killed. FIGHTING IN MADRAS. DELHI. October 7. Calicut is overflowing with refugees, who report that the Aloplahs are now

offering no choice of convex-inn but are slaughtering the Hindus indiscriminately. Reinforcements of British forces are arriving. There is no improvement at Madras and fights are frequent. On Wednesday bombs were used freely. The police were attacked and were compelled to open fire. TWO AEROPLANES WRECKED. LONDON, October 7. The Times correspondent at Basra reports that a British aeroplane carrying bombs ascended at Alasiriyeh. A bomb exploded when the machine was 40ft up and it caught fire and crashed. The pilot (Hyslop) and the mechanic (Plummer) were killed instantly. Three minutes later a second bomber rose from the same aerodrome. A bomb exploded when the machine was 100 ft up and it crashed. The pilot received concussion and the mechanic a black eye. FRINGE'S PROPOSED VISIT. LONDON, October 8. An Anglo-Indian police officer, writing in the Sunday Express, says it is I madness to permit the Prince of Wales to visit India at present. Many distinguished Anglo-Indians agree that those responsible for the policy of sending the Prince to India are not acquainted with the crisis or its ramifications. If Gandhi succeeds in inducing the Indians to abstain from welcoming the Prince it will result in the loss of a ( portion of the priceless influence he created during the war in France, in his . tour of the dominions, and at Home. The Prince is not deficient in personal : courage, but physical danger is not in > question. The weightiest reason sgaim t his vieit ’ is the irreparable harm which might be done to the power and prestige of the ; Crown by exposing its representative , in the person of the heir apparent to insult and indignity.