INDIAN RAILWAYS

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 30

INDIAN RAILWAYS

BOAIBAY MILL STRIKES. DELHI, Alay 8. The organisers of the Bombay mill strikes, including the notorious Communis., Bradley, are working overtime to secure sympathetic extensions, particularly among the railwaymen, and have succeeded so far that the men of the G.I.P. railway workshops have drafted an ultimatum. STRIKERS ADOPT NEW TATICS. DELHI, Alay 10. The Lillooah strikers’ reduced demand being again rejected by the railway authorities, the men have adopted the tactics of holding up all traffic in the neighbourhood of Howbah station. Fighting broke out in the morning when the police began the forcible removal of 14 strikers. Five police were removed to hospital. STRIKE TAKES SERIOUS TURN. CALCUTTA, Alay 11. The East Indian railway strike took a grave turn last night, when 1000 strikers held up traffic in the business quarter of Calcutta. They attacked European officials and civilians in private motors cars and trains, and they obstructed the Howrah-Ainta railway, the passengers being ordered out and the trains bombarded with stones. The strikers also boarded trams, robbed the conductors and dragged out and assaulted the occupants, who were later escorted to safety by armed police. The attacks have mostly been confined to police officers, whose cars were wrecked. The arrest of a strike leader named Bannerjee, who recently returned from Aloscow, was the signal for a wild rush by thousands in an attempt to rescue him, and the police were forced to release the leader. Finally the tram services were suspended, and Europeans have been forbidden to use the roads in the strike area. The Bombay mill strikers have received £3OOO from Aloscow. CALCUTTA, Alay 11. The derailment of the Dchradun express 172 miles north of Calcutta has deep significance, as it was evident there was intention to wreck the Bombay mail, passing halt an hour in advance. The rails were tampered with near the river bridge, but the miscreants had insufficient tim°, and were only able to loosen the plates. ’ Strikers have been heard uttering threats. •