CALCUTTA: Calcutta Police fired repeatedly into violent mobs on Sunday [March 17] as the Indian Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, made an unscheduled visit to this city torn by anti-Muslim riots.

In Allahabad, police had to resort to firing again today on a mob armed with stones, knives and acid bombs. About 25 cases of arson had been reported in the city by early afternoon. Police and mobs in Calcutta engaged in running street battles. As the Police opened fire, the crowds ran for shelter in the lanes and byways of the seething area. There was no immediate word on casualties.

Three persons have been officially listed as killed and more than 40 injured in two days of turmoil on Friday and Saturday.

After her arrival at Dum Dum Airport, Mrs Gandhi drove straight to the main trouble spots and talked with the people. Then she visited hospitals to see the injured. She appealed for peace and said the situation was bringing a slur on the Indians.

This afternoon, as the Indian Prime Minister was flying into Calcutta to visit the riot areas, tension again gripped the city, followed by fresh attacks on a slum area in central Calcutta. ... Rioting started on Friday when the exuberance of revellers celebrating the Hindu carnival festival of Holi led to religious clashes.— Agencies

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2018