MURDER AND LOOTING CONTINUE

Chronicle (Levin), 6 November 1946, Page 5

MURDER AND LOOTING CONTINUE

Press Assn.

DARK SURVEY OF SlTUATION IN INDIA

By Telegraph

-Copyright

Received Wednesday, 9.50 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 5. More-troops have arrived in Bihar Province and are taking up positions in the riot-affected arqas of Bihar. The Government announced that the situation remained serious, with arson, murder and looting continuing.

The Associated Press' Bombay correspondent says that the riot situation has taken a tuni for the worse. Eighteen scattered ston'e and acid throwing and kniie attacks were reported today. Steam launclies with Bren guns and powerful searchlights are patrolling the Ganges to check the entry of trouble-makers from outside into Bihar. Communual Revenge Pointing out how the pendulum of communal strife which began swinging in Calcutta on August 13 and later moved eastward to Noakhali and adjacent districts in Bengal, has now swung violently in the opposite direction to Bihar where large-scale rioting is reported, the Times New Dellii's correspondent says the desire for communal revenge js the obvious reason for1 these alternating outbreaks, for ; whereas Moslems suffered most casualties in Calcutta, Hindus formed the majority of victims in East Bengal, and the Moslems are again suft'erers in Binar.

, The correspondent adds: "Without wishing to be an alarmist, there 'is reason to fear the trouble may not end there but may spread in widenihg circles to the United jProvinces and possibly to the Bun;jab where the communities are I more evenly matched numerically {and the consequences would be ' even graver. Unless the responsibie leaders of both communities can get together and frame a common 'programme desighed to end this jinsensate strife, the outlook for jNoi'thern India is indeed dark," { Official reports from Patua admit j 270 killed in the four affected disitricts and many more injured. 'Arson is reported to be rife but uhlike East Bengal, forcible conversion and marriage are not reported. Ghaiidi Threatens Death Fast The Minister of Food, Mr. Rajendra Prasad, announced that Mr. Ghandi had resolved to ■ fast unto death if the communal rioting in Bihar Province did not cease within twenty-four hours.