In Calcutta, the capital of West Bengal in India, thousands of people demonstrated in the streets on Thursday (15 November), against the rising price of food and other goods. The police arrested nine hundred demonstrators, and would have arrested more if they had the vehicles to carry them away in.

The demonstration was in answer to a call by nine left-wing organizations for a campaign of civil disobedience as a protest over rising prices. The demonstrators attempted to march on the State government building, but were prevented by a cordon of police. When they tried to break through the cordon, scores of them were attacked and beaten up by the police before being arrested. Eye-witnesses said that several people, including four journalists, were injured.

As people were arrested, many others were left standing in the road demanding to be taken to jail as well. In one incident, the police made a baton charge against those left behind,and many people were injured. The West Bangali Chief Minister, Mr. Siddartha Shankar Ray, later issued a statement regretting the use of force by the Police despite specific instructions not to.

Led by the Marxist-Communists, the State's powerful left-wing parties called for a State-wide general strike and business close-down on Saturday (17 November), to protest against prices and also police repression.

SYNOPSIS: Thousands of demonstrators were out in the streets of Calcutta in India on Thursday, protesting at the rising price of food and other goods. Calcutta is the State capital of West Bengal, and the demonstrations had been organised in response to a call by nine left-wing organisations for a campaign of civil disobedience. The police arrested about nine hundred people, while hundreds of others were left behind demanding to be taken to jail. The police, however, did not have enough transport to cope with everyone who wished to be taken.

The demonstrators had intended to march on the Sate government building, but were prevented by a strong cordon of police. When they tried by a strong cordon of police. When they tried to break through the cordon, many of them were attacked and beaten by the Police before being arrested. Later, West Bengal's Chief Minister, Mr. Siddartha Ray, said he regretted the police using force against instructions.