TRIBAL ATTACKS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1930, Page 9

TRIBAL ATTACKS

INDIAN FRONTIER TROUBLE AEROPLANES BOMB AFRIDIS RAIDS AROUND PESHAWAR KIDNAPPING" AT QUETTA By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Rec. 7 p.m. Delhi, June. 7. The tribal situation on the north-west frontier is again worse in the Afridi country beyond Peshawar, and thousands of armed tribesmen who are advancing towards British territory have been persistently heavily bombed by Air Force planes which have delivered an ultimatum ordering them to disperse, but without effect. Afridis numbering 3000 ambushed two motor-buses hired by the. I* rentier Constabulary and returning empty from Subhan Khavar, killed the driver and burned the first bus. The second driver was injured and the bus was damaged. The Afridi raiders to-day approached the Peshawar cantonment. A movable column marched out to deal with the raiders, who are ensconsed in gardens south of the city, and sustained a few casualties. The Royal Air Force successfully attacked the tribesmen, who .. retired towards the west. Quetta reports that Major Farley and Captain-and Mrs., Frere were kidnapped at Quetta by a party of trans-border raiders. Hakim Spinbaldar with Afghan troops went to effect their release. It is understood Captain and Mrs. Frere have been released and have arrived at Chaman safely and it is expected Major Farley and the two drivers will arrive to-day. Six of the seven Garwhalis charged with mutiny have signed a passionate plea for mercy. “We were caught in a Whirlpool of vicious circumstances,” they say; “we have been dragged down to the uttermost depth of degradation, v* e humbly submit to the court that we bad no intention of committing an act of mutiny and we. humbly throw ourselves on the mercy and leniency of the court.” They plead they had no intention of committing mutiny and therefore they ’did.not join the mutiny. REVIEW BY CAPTAIN W. BENN. BRITISH FORCES ADEQUATE. British Wireless. Rugby, June 6. Captain Wedgwood Benn was asked in the House of Commons whether he could state that the resources at the disposal of the Government of India for the preservation of internal and external peace- were sufficient. Captain Benn said his answer was “Yes.” He then read the following statement regarding the situation on the north-west frontier of India: — “For some days there have been reports of Afridis gathering in the Bara Valley south-west-of Peshawar. Reports regarding the number hay© varied, but as high a figure as 4000 has been reported. Their purpose is somewhat obscure, but ray_Jnformation shows that they consist largely of yoting tribesmen without the support of their elders as a whole. “My latest information consists in a report from ■ the north-west frontier province, dated yesterday, showing that the Afridi tribesmen in gangs of considerable size visited villages at the mouth of the Bara Valley, within a mile or two of the cantonment at Peshawar, yesterday morning and urged the villagers to join them in an attack on the cantonment. The villagers reefusd and the Afridis retired west and south-west. They endeavoured to block the roads behind them, but the obstructions have been removed. The Royal Air Force is watching the retirement of the tribesmen, which is being effected in parties of varying strength, ranging from 3'o or so to 300 or 400 men. “‘There is no information yet of any military contact with the tribesmen, but ft particularly threatening encampment of tribesmen .in tribal territory was attacked from- the air on the night of June 4.” Captain Benn added that a Peshawar moveable column was reported to be clearing up the area south and southwest of Peshawar.

SERIOUS RIOTING REPORTED

TWO INSPECTORS BELIEVED DEAD. WOMAN M.L.C. RESIGNS SEAT. Rec. 7 p.m. - Delhi, June 7. Serious rioting occurred yesterday at Balisai in the Midnapore district, where the police were forced to fire on a mob of 1500 collected to manufacture contraband Balt. A police party was attacked near the village of Dastur. Four constables were injured and stripped of their uniforms and arms. Two inspectors are believed to have been burned to death by the infuriated mob. An armed police party under In-spector-General Lowman has gone to Midnapore from Calcutta. Mias Ida Dickinson, a prominent Bombay social worker, has resigned from the Bombay Legislative Council as a protest against the Government’s "repressive measures” and has refused to accept the Kaisar-i-Hand Medal awarded her in last Birthday honours.