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Journalism of Courage
• LAHORE, August 13, 1947: It is estimated that sixty persons were killed in today’s incidents in Lahore and over 100 injured were admitted into hospital.
Most of the sectors in the walled city are on fire and are burning unchecked, the API was officially informed tonight. The military and police had been firing incessantly in several places where arson and looting was rampant.
The riot situation remained comparatively quiet during the night with fires ranging in same sectors. There were six new fires and two cases of knife-attacks during the night.
In view of further deterioration in the communal situation in Lahore the District Magistrate has clamped the city under eleven-hour curfew in all police stations from 7 pm to 6 am except in cantonment and civil lines areas excluding Qilla Qujarsingh bounded by Nicholson road, Abbot Road, Montgomery road, but excluding Empress road.
• AMRITSAR, August 13, 1947: Latest information received in Amritsar shows that the special military force operating in Majitha area shot dead a band of 61 persons who were reported to have been armed with mortars guns and sten guns and other modern weapons.
An appeal to the Sikhs to desist from violence has been issued by Master Tara Singh.
He says. “The communal situation in the Central Punjab is assuming menacing proportions. I would therefore appeal to the Sikhs to desist from violence and await orders of Panth as to the future course of action. Nothing would be lost by forbearance and restraint which are in fact two qualifications of a brave man.”
• MORADABAD, August 13: Four persons were killed and eight injured in a communal clash in village Rawana. Fifty persons have been arrested in this connection. The district magistrate, accompanied by the Military Police, reached the spot and restored order. “Military Police is patrolling the affected area. The situation is well in hand,” according to the District Magistrate.
• LAHORE, August 13, 1947: Representatives of the future Governments of East and West
Punjab have issued a joint appeal for the restoration of peace and order in the Punjab.
The statement, which is signed by Khan Iftikhar Hussain Khan of Mamdot, Sardar Swaran Singh, Sardar Shaukat Hyat Khan, Dr Gopichand Bhargava, and Mian Mumtaz Daulatana says, “The two governments of the East Punjab and the West Punjab will be assuming complete responsibility of Government in their respective spheres from the midnight of August 14. This is not the time for appointment of blame on one party or the other. The two future governments are fully determined to work for the establishment of peace and for inspiring confidence amongst the minorities on either side. In this new set up there will be no room for fastening responsibility on any third party for no such third party will exist. We, therefore, earnestly appeal to every Hindu, Muslim and Sikh to assist the two future governments in discharging their onerous responsibilities and to extend the fullest cooperation for achieving their object. The two future governments assure the minorities on either side that they will be treated generously and fairly. The said happenings of this transitional period must be entirely forgotten and all of us should set ourselves to make every Punjabi’s lot better and happier.
