HINDUS AND MOSLEMS.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16781, 26 April 1926, Page 7

HINDUS AND MOSLEMS.

RIOTING IN CALCUTTA SITUATION VERY G3AVE. SHOWERS OF BRICKBATS. CALCUTTA, April 24. In spile of the precautions taken by the police a communal clash occurred this morning. Willi the coming of night-fall the northern part of the city bore a deserted aspect, most of I lie shop's having closed at the suggestion of the police. Two armoured cars paraded some of the worst streets, and a high military officer inspected the affected area at dusk.

Numerous cases of assault and loot continue to ho reported.

Two Hindus were found dead in the streets. They bore marks of dagger attacks.

In Canning Street another Hindu was attacked and killed by a party of Mahommedan hooligans. Most of the victims of the assaults were stabbed. One police constable was severely wounded while he w'as on patrol duty in the Burra Bazaar. It is also reported that an English police sergeant named Kirby received a gunshot wound in an affray.

Earlier in the day 100 armed Gurkhas from the frontier arrived. A crowd of 500 Mohammedans, armed with pickaxes, crowbars, sticks, swords and. stones marched down the Medina Bazaar Street to the accompaniment of drums. Two police sergeants tried to dissuade them from proceeding, but in vain. One of the sergeants snatched at and broke a drum, whereupon brickbats were thrown at him. He whipped out his revolver and dispersed the mob.

A large crowd of Hindus, armed with knives, swords, and axes had assembled and fusillades of brickbats were exchanged between the opposing parties. Tins lasted about an hour.

The police at last fired blank cartridges and dispersed the combatants. Up to the present 41 people have been uijurcd. The deaths to date total 1-5.

The police have now organised flying squads. The situation is still grave.