CALCUTTA RIOTING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 306, 24 November 1945, Page 5

CALCUTTA RIOTING

POLICE AGAIN OPEN FIRE TROOPS STANDING BY (N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Bee. 10.5 n.m.) CALCUTTA, Nov. 23 Disturbances ajil day yesterday and again today in connection with the trial of officers of the Japanese-sponsored Indian _ National Army have resulted in 15 persons being killed and 165 injured, including 40 police. The police again opened fire in two places in the city today, wounding 24 people. Mobs set fire to more military lorries and stoned the occupants. Civilian traffic throughout the city has been brought to a standstill by a transport strike. Twenty thousand corporation workers have also stopped work, resulting in the cutting off of the water supply. British troops are standing by and the authorities say they will be used if the disorders continue.

A procession of sympathisers, shouting “Long live the revolution!”, invaded the cricket ground where an Australian Services eleven is playing a ma'tch against the east zone of India and interrupted play until they were satisfied that the players and spectators had observed a period of silence for those killed in the past two days. Earlier the Indian National Army relief committee had sent a message to the Bengal Cricket Association demanding observance, otherwise students would march on to the ground. The association officials, after consulting the Governor of Bengal (Mr Casey), announced that a one-minute silence would be observed before the opening of play. The announcement added: “C. L. Hassett (the Australian captain) agreed, after saying that the Australians were not interested in Indian politics, but would gladly honour the dead.”