Police used tear gas to disperse a crowd of demonstrators during a 24-hour anti-inflation strike which all but crippled life in the Indian capital, New Delhi on Tuesday (November 6th).

Mounted, steel helmeted palies sealed off approaches to the residence of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi and tussled with demonstrators in New Delhi's most fashionable shopping centre. The demonstrators -- workers and supporters of the conservative Jan Sangh party -- hurled stones and set a police van on fire.

The Jan Sangh party and the trade unions called the general strike to protest against rising prices. Last week, the Government announced a 65 per sent increase in the price of petrol - the latest in a long series of increases in the past few months. The president of the Jan Sangh party, L.K. Advani and several supporters were arrested during the demonstration.

Most schools, factories, banks, newspapers and shops were closed, while hospitals were working with skeleton staff. Police reported incidents of strikers forcing shops to close down shutters, and public transport was forced off the streets in old Delhi. All police leave was cancelled.