From: ramani@saathi.ncst.ernet.in (S.Ramani)
Subject: India - Over 130 killed in riots, Bombay reels under curfew
Organization: NCST, Bombay
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 93 18:00:10 GMT


Sender   : Srinivasan Ramani
Source   : Mid-Day, Jan 11, 1993 (Bombay)
Country  : India

             Date: Mon Jan 11 23:00:07 +0530 1993

                           * * * *

  *   Curfew on in Many Parts of the City (Bombay)
      By A Staff Reporter

  Rioting continued for the sixth day today in the city, taking the death
  toll to 129 and that of the injured to 362, according to official fig-
  ures. Unofficial figures put the death-toll at 163, with 61 deaths in
  the last 24 hours.

  Curfew in the worst riot-affected areas including VP Road, Pydhonie,
  Round Temple, JJ Hospital, Dongre, Bombay Central, Byculla, Girgaum,
  Nehru Nagar, Mahim, Nirmal Nagar, Jogeshwari, and Devnar was relaxed for
  two hours from 6 AM. Although the situation began worsening by late
  morning, state home minister Babanrao Pachpute maintained that it was
  "improving", and that the incidents had come down marginally, compared
  to the last two days. Pachpute told Mid-day this morning that the pres-
  ence of the Central Forces which have been sent to the city last night
  had helped.

  17 columns of the army and at least 9 central reserve police units have
  been deployed in the city and 6 Rapid Action Force companies besides the
  border security force from New Delhi are patrolling the areas of South
  Bombay and Jogeshwari.

  Arson and looting continued through the night and this morning despite
  the presence of the security forces. The overworked fire brigade person-
  nel were unable to give the number of calls as "there are so many every
  minute and each one an emergency".

  As many as 638 preventive arrests have been made so far and 306 arrested
  on various charges of rioting.

  The city wore a deserted look as shop keepers kept their shops closed.
  Schools and colleges remained closed for the third day today.

  The number of unidentified and unclaimed bodies at JJ and Cooper hospi-
  tal morgues are rising as relatives of the deceased could not reach the
  hospital due to curfew.

  Meanwhile many families from Dharavi and other slums are flocking Vic-
  toria Terminus and Bombay Central Stations in a bid to flee the city.
  Last night Central Railway arranged a special train to Calcutta via
  Allahabad, carrying several families. Sources said that many dishoused
  people were leaving.

  In Thane, trouble began by 10.30 AM when a mob of rioters began looting
  shops near the station.

  Both Central and Western Railways have curtailed services following con-
  sultations with the state authorities. On the Western Railway, the
  Rajdani Express and August Kranti Express have been scheduled to stop at
  Borivli to facilitate passengers who are unable to come to Bombay Cen-
  tral Station.

  No BEST buses departed from the Mahim, Marol, Kurla, Bombay Central,
  Dharavi and Anik Depots since morning.

  Milk supply was severely hit as vehicles could not reach many areas in
  the city and suburbs.

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