This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7106897.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Calcutta calm after day of riots | Calcutta calm after day of riots |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Life is returning to normal in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta a day after protests over a controversial writer turned into riots. | Life is returning to normal in the eastern Indian city of Calcutta a day after protests over a controversial writer turned into riots. |
Troops called to maintain peace in the city continue to patrol the streets, but a curfew has been lifted. | Troops called to maintain peace in the city continue to patrol the streets, but a curfew has been lifted. |
On Wednesday, police using tear gas and baton charges were unable to control crowds calling for Bangladeshi feminist writer Taslima Nasreen to leave India. | On Wednesday, police using tear gas and baton charges were unable to control crowds calling for Bangladeshi feminist writer Taslima Nasreen to leave India. |
Rioters blocked roads and set cars alight. At least 43 people were hurt. | |
More than 100 arrests were made. | More than 100 arrests were made. |
Crowds were also protesting at recent attacks on Muslims in the Nandigram area in the east of West Bengal state. | Crowds were also protesting at recent attacks on Muslims in the Nandigram area in the east of West Bengal state. |
A number of people have been killed and thousands left homeless in Nandigram after violence over now-abandoned state plans to industrialise farm land in the area. | A number of people have been killed and thousands left homeless in Nandigram after violence over now-abandoned state plans to industrialise farm land in the area. |
Road blocks | Road blocks |
"The night was peaceful and we hope things will return to normal," Calcutta police chief Gautam Chakraborty said. | "The night was peaceful and we hope things will return to normal," Calcutta police chief Gautam Chakraborty said. |
Shops have reopened and children are back at school. | Shops have reopened and children are back at school. |
But more than 700 soldiers are still on the streets of central Calcutta to prevent any fresh trouble. | But more than 700 soldiers are still on the streets of central Calcutta to prevent any fresh trouble. |
Ms Nasreen faced death threats in her homeland | Ms Nasreen faced death threats in her homeland |
Wednesday's trouble in the state capital began after the predominantly Muslim All-India Minority Forum called for blockades on major roads in the city. | Wednesday's trouble in the state capital began after the predominantly Muslim All-India Minority Forum called for blockades on major roads in the city. |
The group said Ms Nasreen had "seriously hurt Muslim sentiments". Many Muslims say her writing ridicules Islam. | The group said Ms Nasreen had "seriously hurt Muslim sentiments". Many Muslims say her writing ridicules Islam. |
Police arrived in strength to disperse the demonstrators. | Police arrived in strength to disperse the demonstrators. |
Violence then broke out in Ripon Street in the north of the city and spread to Park Circus, Moulali and many other areas of central Calcutta. | Violence then broke out in Ripon Street in the north of the city and spread to Park Circus, Moulali and many other areas of central Calcutta. |
For most of Wednesday, parts of the city centre were a no-go area, with main roads closed to traffic and commuters stranded. | For most of Wednesday, parts of the city centre were a no-go area, with main roads closed to traffic and commuters stranded. |
Children spent hours in buses before they could be returned to the safety of their schools. | Children spent hours in buses before they could be returned to the safety of their schools. |
Critics say Ms Nasreen called for the Koran to be changed to give women greater rights, but she vehemently denied making the comments. | Critics say Ms Nasreen called for the Koran to be changed to give women greater rights, but she vehemently denied making the comments. |
She fled Bangladesh in the early 1990s after death threats and has spent the last three years in Calcutta after a long stay in Europe. | She fled Bangladesh in the early 1990s after death threats and has spent the last three years in Calcutta after a long stay in Europe. |
India has not granted her citizenship which she has requested but has granted regular visa extensions. | India has not granted her citizenship which she has requested but has granted regular visa extensions. |
Previous version
1
Next version