INDIAN RIOTS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18675, 26 April 1926, Page 9

INDIAN RIOTS.

COMMUNIST CLASH. MANY CASUALTIES, LOOTING CONTINUED. (BY CABLE—PBESB ASSOCIATION —COFYBIGHT.) (becter'S TELEGRAMS.) (Received April 25th, 11.5 p.m.) CALCUTTA, April 24th. Despite police precautions a Communist clash occurred this morning. With the coming of nightfall the northern part of the city bore a deserted aspect, most of tho shops having closed at the suggestion of the police. Two armoured cars paraded some of tho worst streets, and a high military officer inspected tho affected area at dusk. Solitary cases of assault and looting continue. It is reported that two Hindus were found dead in the streets bearing marks of severe dagger attacks, whilo in Canning street, a. Hindu was attacked by a party of Mohammedian hooligans, and before his death was disembowelled, A police constable was severely wounded whilst on patrol in the Burra bazaar, and it is now reported that an English police sergeant named Kirby received a gunshot wound in an affray earlier in the day. A hundred armed Gurkhas have arrived from the frontier. A crowd of 500 Mohammedans armed with pick-axes, crowbars, sticks, swords, and stones marched down. Mechua Bazaax street to the accompaniment of drums. Two police sergeants tried to dissuade them from proceeding, but vainly. One of the sergeants snatched and broke a drum, whereupon a number of brickbats were thrown at him. He whipped out a revolver, and dispersed the mob. Meanwhile large crowds of Hindus armed with knives, crowbars, and axes assembled and a fusillade of brickbats occurred between the opposing parties, lasting about an hour. The police firing blank cartridges dispersed the combatants. The total casualties to date are 15 deaths and 41 injured. SITUATION STILL GRAVE. (Received April 25t1), 5.5 p.m.) DELHI, April 24. Reports from the northern parts of the City of Calcutta show that a large number of assaults on individuals took place to-day, with the result that those injured and admitted to various hospitals now total forty-nine. The assaults were entirely confined to stabbing and other attacks. No organised fighting occurred. The riot situation is still considered grave. Further casualties reported include three deaths. The police, who have organised flying squads, have the situation in hand.