CALCUTTA RIOTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 278, 24 November 1945, Page 5

CALCUTTA RIOTS

MANY PEOPLE STRIKE

POLICE FIRE ON MOB Recd. 11.20 p.m. Calcutta, Nov. 23. Further riots have occurred in Calcutta, and the transport strike in the city has been added to by municipal workers coming out. One report says that the water supply has been cut off. Last night police fired twice against crowds in the city. Last night, after disturbances lasting throughout the day in whicli five were killed and 86 injured, a crowd estimated at 100,000 formed up and filed past Government House shouting, “Quit India, quit Asia.” Rioters set fire to 12 military lorries and beat up some of the occupants. The military authorities have announced that force would be used to protect the lives of drivers.

It is reported from Bombay that the Students' Union has called for a strike and has announced its intention of parading the streets. TRANSPORT STRIKE.

Disturbances have completely 'disrupted Calcutta’s transport system, and tram, bus and rickshaw men struck yesterday in protest against police action during the demonstrations.

An Associated Press correspondent in Calcutta says that unconfirmed reports indicate that the death roll continues to mount. Hospitals are so crowded with patients that they are unable to staff the numbers treated. POLICE OPEN FIRE.

Police last night night opened fire twice aga.ust c-owds who after day clashes, in which 15 British military vehicles were burned, were still milling around protesting against the trial of an Indian national army officer. Thousands of cheering demonstrators, shouting, “Quit India,” marched to Government offices. Mobs attacked two American officers who were forced to halt their car at a barreade. One officer suffered a fractured skull. A British military communique stated that such measures would be taken as were considered necessary to ensure that military and Government property was undamaged. Students in Calcutta beat up British and American troops, says the "Daily Mail’s corespondent, who adds that a police squad saved one soldier from being burnt alive. A mob attacked a military policeman when he held up a procession of 50,000 to let army trucks pass. POLICE AGAIN OPEN FIRE Recd. 11.40 p.m. Calcutta, Nov. 23.

The death roll in the disturbances here has risen to 15 killed and 165 injured, including 40 police. The police again opened fire in two places in the south city to-day, wounding 24 people. Mobs set fire to more military lorries and stoned the occupants. Civilian traffic throughout the city was brought to a standstill by the transport strike. Twenty thousand corporation workers also stopped work, resulting in the cutting off of the water supply.