ssm@cmu-ri-leg.ARPA (Sesh Murthy) (03/28/85)
The army was called to the western city of Ahmedabad today to quell rioting
that mounted after police fired on demonstrators, killing four and wounding
15.
The rioting grew out of student protests against increases in
government job and college admission quotas for backward classes in
Ahemedabad, capital of Gujarat State, about 430 miles southwest of
New Delhi.
The police fired on the rioters late Monday and early today.
Widespread arson and looting continued despite an indefinite curfew
clamped on much of the city, United News of India reported.
According to an official announcement, army troops were called out
to ''assist police'' in restoring order. The announcement did not say
how many troops were deployed.
During the night, rioters armed with truncheons roamed the streets,
smashing motorcycles and scooters, the news agency said.
The violence erupted Monday during a statewide general strike called
by students' groups to protest the proposed 18 percent increase in
job and education quotas. Under the plan, 49 percent of the places
would be reserved for socially-disadvanted classes, including
''untouchables,'' India's lowest caste group.
Students in Gujarat have been organizing strikes and demonstrations
against the proposal for more than a month.
Students in neighboring Mahdya Pradesh state, where a similar
increase was proposed, called off their agitation late last month
after the state chief minister promised to review the policy. Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi also has pledged to review the proposals.
In West Bengal state, train services came to a halt today as
demonstrators squatted on tracks to protest increases in passenger
and freight rates.
Police were deployed at major stations to prevent damage to railway
property, but no major incidents were reported.
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uucp: seismo!rochester!cmu-ri-leg!ssm
arpa: ssm@cmu-ri-leg