COLLEGE TEACHERS IN PROTEST MARCH THROUGH CALCUTTA AND OUTSIDE ASSEMBLY BUILDING.




Initials HT-V-S/CR/GLH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: DISCONTENT OVER THE RISING COST OF LIVING COUPLED WITH LABOUR UNREST IN WEST BENGAL, HAS RESULTED IN STRIKES AND MASSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS IN CALCUTTA AND OTHER INDIAN CITIES DURING THE PAST WEEK PROTESTING AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF MRS. INDIRA GANDHI.

THE LATEST DEMONSTRATION WAS STAGED YESTERDAY (SATURDAY) BY TEACHERS FROM CALCUTTA COLLEGE, AND THEY WERE JOINED BY WORKERS FROM GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND SHOP KEEPERS. THEY LATER STAGED A SIT-DOWN STRIKE OUTSIDE THE RESIDENCE OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE PROVINCE.

TWO DAYS AGO IN DHUTURIA, IN NORTH BENGAL, ONE PERSON WAS KILLED AND THREE INJURED WEN POLICE OPENED FIRE ON A CROWD OF ANGRY STRIKERS FROM LOCAL TEA PLANTATIONS DEMANDING HIGHER WAGES.

ANOTHER GROUP PROTESTING AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT IS THE COUNTRY'S TWO-MILLION GOLDSMITHS. THEY ARE DEMANDING THE ABOLITION OF THE GOLD CONTROL WHICH WAS IMPOSED FOUR YEARS AGO.