IN INDIA

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1930, Page 5

IN INDIA

i AFRIDJS RETREATING. [United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright]. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) DELHI, Aug. 18. The last reports show the Afridis are retreating. The tribesmen are generally in a chastened mood. AH the raiders were disappeared, while tiie caves on Khajoii plain are reported to be completely evacuated. An aeroplane reconnaisance shows no movements in Bara Valley or elsewhere. The attack on Kohat- lias not materialised. A communication received from an important tribal leader says the Air Fore© inflicted extremely severe damage in Bara Valley. OFFICIAL WEEKLY REPORT. TROUBLE ON FRONTIER. (British Official Wireleia.) (Received this dav at noon.) HUG BY, August 18. In an appreciation by the Government of India of the situation in India, up to August 16th, it is stated the focus of interest in the tribal situation during the week, has been the activities of an Afridi Lashkar in Peshawar district and on. the district border. Detachments from the main Inshkar, which got into the,district last week, remained there at varying strength. . Numerous large gangs concealed themselves in a thickly wooded belt to the south and south-east of Peshawar; .ami amongst ravines further east, and were a constant source of trouble and anxity to the authorities. They also made several unsuccessful attempts in small part, ies by night to enter the city and cantonments taking advantage of the cover afforded by the high crops. They were generally able to elude the military, whose efforts were directed to their expulsion, and for this reason decisive military action against them is difficult at the present season.

Moreover they undoubtedly received shelter, food and some active assistance from the villages in the neighbourhood of Peshawar.; -.,;They at one time (succeeded in cutting off-all communication with Peshawar, and one party forced its way into a supply depot. There it did some damage before being driven out. •'(;? n ■: = : U-

The Orakzai .Situation has remained uncertain. A nhmber’Of O.rakzar undoubtedly accompanied the mam- Afridi lashkar ainT'ihiine took paHfiil’activities inside Peshawar district.

On the Kurran.border an overt action was tanen against the Government by a section of the Orakzai with their neighbours the Cliamkannis, who made an attack on the militia posts and villages in the Kurran''- valley. The militia and villages levies engaged them with good spirit, M Prompt and very successful air action was taken against; hostile tions, nncl after’ clue warning against the village from, v which they.) (came, Heavy casualties..,are believed, to have beep inflicted and considerable damage was clone to the villages of the more prominent hostile- leaders. This prompt and heavy punishment undoubtedly had /ft sobering effect’ on the tribes concerned,

By the end of-the week the number of Africlis remaining in Peshawar district had greatly (decreased, and also the main body of the lashkar, In the vicinity of Kahjuri Plain, the situation, however, continues to be one of considerable gravity and danger. Communal disturbances in Sinde have spread over a large area, on both sides of the Indies, and a serious situation has developed. The population of these villages is almost entirely Mohammedan, with a small section of Hindu mon-ey-lenders and traders, to whom many of the Mohammedans are indebted. Communal feeling is therefore aggravated by economic causes and when, as in the present case, the trouble extends into the rural area it takes the form of violence towards the looting of the small Hindu population. It is feared the loss of life and property has been considerable. t

Outside the north-west frontier provincee and Sinde. there has been a com. parative absence of incidents during the week.