Massive Pakistan attack
Pakistan has launched a massive attack in the Rann of Kutch on a front of 60 miles with an infantry more than 25,000 strong, supported by tanks and heavy artillery. The biggest attack was at a place 30 miles east of Kanjarkot. At this place the Indian position was held by a very small force. Nevertheless, they replied most effectively and repulsed the Pakistani attack, destroying three Pakistan tanks. Besides advancing towards Sardar Post and Vigokot, which they vacated only a few days ago, Pakistan has also been shelling Chadbet, 50 miles east of Kanjarkot. The attack began on April 23 and shelling is continuing even now.
Mahendra opens Kosi Barrage
King Mahendra of Nepal on April 24 declared the 3,770-foot long Kosi barrage to the people of India and Nepal “as evidence in concrete of the mounting goodwill between the two countries.” Earlier today [April 24], Nepal had announced that it had given its clearance to the project, following talks between Mr. Shastri and King Mahendra on April 23. Nepal had originally raised some objections to the project. The function was held at the Bhimnagar barrage site, near here [Birpur, Bihar]. Prime Minister Shastri announced that India had agreed to a 199-year lease of the land allotted by Nepal to India for the Kosi project. India had also agreed to Nepal’s right to draw as much water as it needed from the river. Mr. Shastri, who was inaugurating the excavation work on Western Kosi Canal, said India was only concerned with the execution of the project and the benefits that would accrue to both the countries. In such matters issues like lease became secondary, he said. The Western Kosi Canal would provide irrigation to about 70,000 acres of land in Nepal and 7,75,000 acres in the districts of Darbhanga and Monghyr in Bihar.
Cloth glut in mills
Accumulation of yarn and cloth stocks following the reported slump in the yarn trade has created a difficult situation for textile mills in South India for operating all the three shifts without break. A few of the mills in Coimbatore have stopped working the third shift. Quite a number of workers have now been thrown out of employment.
