CALCUTTA: The rise in the mortality figures of Calcutta as published today [Nov 18] is liable to create an impression that the general health of the city has deteriorated as compared with this time last year but a careful analysis of the figures does not however justify this....

During the fortnight ending November 13, deaths from all causes in the city were 3,835. Of these, 977 deaths took place in various destitute hospitals while 1,113 bodies were picked up from the streets by the Corpse Disposal Squads.

Thus the total number of deaths in the city during the fortnight, other than deaths of destitute who were not part of the normal population of the city, was 1,745 as against 1,290 during the corresponding fortnight of last year. When it is remembered that the population of Calcutta is considerably greater than this time last year when there had been a large exodus out of the city, these mortality figures show no deterioration in the general health of the city.

[Meanwhile,] a report of a sensational armed dacoity in which the occupants of a bus were relieved of their valuables amounting to Rs. 10,000 at the point of a revolver has been received here from Kahuta, a village in Rawalpindi District.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2018