Arsenal Seized In Leeward Is.

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31385, 2 June 1967, Page 9

Arsenal Seized In Leeward Is.

(N.Z.PA.-Reuter—Copyright) BASSETERRE (St Kitts), June 1. The Caribbean island of Anguilla today lay under a state of emergency as the Government tried to enforce law and order after four months of violence culminated in seizure of the local police arsenal.

The Prime Minister, Robert Bradshaw, Chief Minister of the British Leeward Islands territory that Includes the 34square mile Anguilla Island, said in a broadcast that special police were sent to the island by warship to arrest wanted men. He outlined a series of shooting attacks on police, including the chief commissioner, Mr Lynch Wade, and Superintendent George Roberts, who were injured as they tried to restore order. Mr Bradshaw said the violence, which be claimed was organised by political groups, began in February when a beauty show was disrupted. It culminated last Tuesday in the seizure at gunpoint of Anguilla’s entire pblice arsenal. The Prime Minister said the shooting attacks on police beadquarters and private homes continued until Saturday when 50 shots were fired at a hotel. Anguilla, St. Kitts and the neighbouring island of Nevis gained statehood in association with Britain in February, an arrangement which gives them a greater degree of internal self-government.

Britain retains control of their external and defence policies. It is believed that the violence is the work of elements opposed to the constitution under which statehood was granted.