Italy's Military To Send 500 Troops To Milan After Riots

ROME, Oct 20 (Bernama-dpa) -- The Italian military plans to send 500 more soldiers to Milan, Italy's financial capital, following severe riots, reported  German Press Agency (dpa).

The decision was taken on Monday at a crisis meeting chaired by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with a corresponding decree set to be issued shortly. 

The additional military presence is intended to prevent further rioting in central Milan.

An Italian military mission dubbed "Strade sicure" ("Safe Streets") has been operational since 2008. Soldiers support police in monitoring major conurbations and vulnerable buildings. 

Curfews are also being considered for certain parts of city centres. Meloni had announced a tough approach in response to the riots in Milan and in several other cities.

The riots broke out in Milan at the weekend after initially peaceful protests against high living costs and various government legislative plans. 

At the central Piazza del Duomo and its surroundings, mostly young people dressed in black and wearing masks smashed shop windows and looted shops and supermarkets.

More than 270 temporary arrests were made, mostly of minors. Five young people were taken into custody.

Inflation in Italy is currently 4.2 per cent. Many are drawing comparisons with the unrest in France. 

According to officials, at least 14 security personnel were injured in Milan. There are no precise figures for the number of injured protesters. Damages are estimated to run into millions of euros.

-- BERNAMA-dpa