INDIA: VIOLENCE IN CALCUTTA DURING 24 HOUR GENERAL STRIKE

Record ID: 342002

  • Title: INDIA: VIOLENCE IN CALCUTTA DURING 24 HOUR GENERAL STRIKE
  • Date: 8th April 1966
  • Summary: POLICE DISPERSE CROWD, DEBRIS IN STREET, PEOPLE ARRESTED, POLICE PATROLS. Initials JGS/VS/JF/OS Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 23rd April 1966 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: CALCUTTA, INDIA
  • Country: India
  • Reuters ID: LVA3Z4OUJQ0YMQUW2V58IK9L6LXY
  • Story Text: VIOLENCE ERUPTED IN CALCUTTA ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON DURING THE CITY'S SECOND GENERAL STRIKE OF ITS KIND IN A MONTH.

    ALTHOUGH THE DAY STARTED FAIRLY QUIETLY, VIOLENCE CAME IN THE AFTERNOON WHEN A 12-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS KILLED AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A STREET ACCIDENT WITH A POLICE CAR. MOBS QUICKLY GATHERED AND STONED POLICEMEN AND POLICE CARS - THEY SET TWO TRAFFIC CONTROL POSTS ON FIRE AND STONED FIREMEN TRYING TO PUT OUT THE BLAZE.

    POLICE USED TEAR GAS ON THE CROWDS AND ARE REPORTED TO HAVE FIRED ABOVE THE CROWD'S HEADS - THREE PEOPLE WERE CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED AND SEVERAL WERE ARRESTED.

    THE 24-HOUR STRIKE SHUT OFF PUBLIC TRANSPORT ON ROADS, RAILWAYS AN DIN THE AIR, PARALYSING INDIA'S SECOND BIGGEST CITY. THE STRIKE WAS CALLED BY COMMUNIST AND OTHER LEFTIST PARTIES AS A PROTEST AGAINST GOVERNMENT POLICIES, THE DETENTION OF OPPOSITION LEADERS AND THE REFUSAL TO INSTITUTE A JUDICIAL INQUIRY INTO POLICE ACTION DURING FEBRUARY'S FOOD DEMONSTRATIONS IN WEST BENGAL STATE.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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