HORROR OF RACIAL HATE

Chronicle (Levin), 26 August 1947, Page 5

HORROR OF RACIAL HATE

' (N.2.P.A.-

-Reuter,

1 11 Thousands Flee From Riot Areas Of Punjab

Copyright)

Received Tuesday, 11 a.m. NEW DELHI, Aug. 25. Four persons were fatally stabbed in riots today between Hindu and Moslbm mill workers. It is estimated that 30,000 refugees have poured into New Delhi from the Punjab trouble area. The Sikhs are on the warpath and are systematically clearing East Pun jab of Atoslems, says the Times' Jullun dur correspondent. The violence has been organised from the hijfhest levels of Sikh leadership. The armament of Sikh "jathas' which are armed mobs of 50 or .100, con sisls typicallv of oue or two lirearms, army and homemade grenades, spears, axes and sabres. The Moslems ari jsuallv armed onlv with staves. The Moslems, when threatened, as .semble on roofs and beat gongs and drums to summon aid from neighbouring conimunities. The Sikhs attack in three waves. Thv lirst wave armed with lirearms is to iring the Aloslenis' oi! the- roofs. Th>-.->econd lobs grenades over walls and hen in the ensuing confusion the tliircl goes in with sabres and spears. Mounted outriders with sabres cut down tliose .rying to escape. The jarhas connnit appalling atroci- . ies. Four babies were rounil roasted to death over a lire in one village they ittacked. Enraged krosleins on the Pakistan nde of the Punjab reneweil their action igainst the Sikh and Hindu minoritieai uo avenge the Sikhs rampaging against he Mohainmedans 011 the lndia side of he boundary. A coniniunique from the joint Palds-

iiin and liulian Alililarv Forces says uliat many villages and eities are •ilready so batlered that they look a« tho.igh arniies have fought through hem. lleuters says the situat.ion is romplicated by the flow of hundreds of thousands of refngees which the Punjab boundary force is unable to feed. The West Punjab Goveinment has announced that it has accelerated the cvacuation of refugees from the riol areas in East Punjab. It is estitnated that about 25,000 AToslems are being taken over daily from East Punjal). The coniniunique ailded that the situation in East Punjab showed no sign of improvement. "Disorder is prevalent over widespread areas where gangs of marauders are intent 011 killing, arson and looting. They have begun to victiniisp non-Moslems. " Sixtv were killed and 93 injured in rioting which started in Quetta lasi Wednesday following an attenipt to hoist a " Panthanistan" flag over the mosque, reports Reuter 's correspond ent. Troops evacuated all Hindus and Aloslenis and- aecomiiiodated them on a nearliy race.-ourse. Troops and police are niaintaing prttrols to enforce a 15-hour daily curfew imposed to quell the rioting.