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Crime-hit Naples may get troops Seven held over Naples violence
(1 day later)
The Italian justice minister, Clemente Mastella, says he is considering sending the army into Naples to deal with an upsurge of violent crime. Police in the Italian city of Naples have arrested seven suspected members of the local mafia, the Camorra, amid an upsurge in violent crime.
"Before this was a taboo for me, but now I am open to discussing it," said Mr Mastella. Italy's Justice Minister, Clemente Mastella, has said he is considering sending in troops to protect the city.
The governor of Naples' Campania region, Antonio Bassolino, urged tough action against the "deadly cancer of the Camorra" - the Naples Mafia. A security services report says that blood-letting between Camorra clans who control some of the run-down suburbs could spill over into the city centre.
The officials were speaking after three murders in Naples at the weekend. The arrests follow four street murders in Naples in as many days.
Correspondents say the number of people killed or wounded in the city in recent weeks is higher than usual.Correspondents say the number of people killed or wounded in the city in recent weeks is higher than usual.
Some Neapolitans have been taking the law into their own hands. Last week a tobacconist shot dead a robber.Some Neapolitans have been taking the law into their own hands. Last week a tobacconist shot dead a robber.
The authorities are also worried about the effect on tourism - last month a Canadian was hit by a stray bullet while strolling in one of the city's squares.The authorities are also worried about the effect on tourism - last month a Canadian was hit by a stray bullet while strolling in one of the city's squares.
Mr Mastella said an army deployment in Naples would not involve soldiers going on sensitive missions. Their presence would allow police to concentrate on fighting violent crime, La Repubblica newspaper quoted him as saying. 'Deadly cancer'
"There is a need to tackle the sense of insecurity and fear among many sections of the population," he said. Mr Mastella said an army deployment in Naples would not involve soldiers going on sensitive missions.
"Before this was a taboo for me, but now I am open to discussing it," he said.
"There is a need to tackle the sense of insecurity and fear among many sections of the population."
The presence of troops would allow police to concentrate on fighting violent crime, La Repubblica newspaper quoted Mr Mastella as saying.
On Monday, the governor of Naples' Campania region, Antonio Bassolino, urged tough action against the "deadly cancer of the Camorra".
Soldiers were deployed in Sicily in 1992 to restore order following the murder of two prominent anti-mafia prosecutors.
However, the regional government leader in Naples, Antonio Bassolino, is reported to have requested extra police rather than troops.