MOSLEM RIOTERS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 22 July 1935, Page 5

MOSLEM RIOTERS

FIGHTING AT LAHORE TROOPS TIRE ON MOB. Press Association Electrio Telegraph—Copyright LAHORE, Saturday. The Royal Scots were forced to fire on a huge crowd of Moslem rioters, killing and wounding a number, as a climax to a day and night of mob defiance arising from the Silch attempt to demolish a disused Moslem mosque situated in the grounds of a Sikh shrine.

The mob resisted police baton charges,- smashed prison vans and threatened to overwhelm the police under cover of a barrage of brickbats when troops were - called out while B.A.F. planes circled overhead.

Ten are believed to be killed and many were injured when the Royal Scots fired four rounds. The casualties are uncertain as the rioters carried off their dead, but three were later found dead.

Fifty police, including five British officers, were injured by stone-throw-ing.

Indian cavalry charged and were met by a hail of brickbats. One cavalryman was thrown from his horse into a drain, where he was trampled to death by the terrified animal. The crowd is still menacing. Despite the curfew, they refuse to leave the streets, which armoured cars are patrolling. FOUR MORE NATIVES SHOT. (Received Monde- 10.25 a.m.) LAHORE, Sunday. The Moslem crowd did not disperse throughout the night. It increased in the morning and became violent, throwing stones. The troops fired six founds, four natives being killed.

Tension at Lahore became acute on Oth July owing to the demolition of a disused mosque which Sikhs had occupied for 170 years. They obtained legnl authorisation, after SO years of litigation, to destroy the mosque because it was dangerous. Moslems resented the decision.. The Governor, Sir Hubert Emerson, when attempting a reconciliation, secured a promise from Sikh leaders to postpone the demolition, but their followers began the destruction at-night-time. Infuriated Moslems endeavoured to rush Sikhs. Police charged and dispersed the attackers. Elevc-n wore arrested. Two Sikhs were found murdered.