PLAGUE RIOTS IN INDIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2298, 17 March 1898, Page 13

PLAGUE RIOTS IN INDIA.

Calcutta, March 10. A serious outbreak has occurred at Bombay in connection with the suppression of the plague. A party of- officials were attacked by the natives? while ascertaining the cause of the illness of a Mohammedan woman. The parfev were dispersed, and the police interfered, but were stoned. The latter then fired oa the mob, killicg four of the rioters and wounding several others. The excitement spread like wildfire, the Hindoos joining the Mohacamedaus in resisting the authorities. Two privates of the Shropshire Regiment were killed while walking down the street. The European officers and the polica were severely handled, several being seriously wounded. Europeans were beaten and stabbed in the bazaars ; the ambulances were bnrnt, and attempts made to set fire to the hospital?. The European nurses narrowly escaped with their lives, while the surgeon of the Jainsetjee hospital was badly wounded. The rioters were repelled after several had been killed. The outbreak is the most alarming that has ocourred in Bombay for many years. Bombay is now in the hands of the military, and the excitement is calming down. March 11. Twelve hundred and eighty-three deaths have ocourred from plague at Bombay during the week. The recent disturbances in the csty have been abated, and everything is now quiet. March VI. The Hindoos and Mohammedans have clossd shops in the markets in Bombay, and labourers have struck work as a protest against the plague measures. Nine rioters were killed and 22 injured in the recent riots, while 109 were arrested. Twenty-three police and 17 civilians were injured. The Europeans now carry arms. It is believed that the Mohammedans organised the outbreak.