The workmen employed in the mills in Koilpatti appear to be split into warring factions that have scant regard to law or the public peace. The Blackshirts also seem to have been adding in their own way to the difficulties of local officials. On the 31st December, 1950, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Sankarankoil, wrote to the Assistant Collector, Tuticorin (he is the Executive Sub-Divisional Magistrate of the area) giving a resume of the situation from 1948. He remarked:

“Now, both in the labour front and in the political front trouble is brewing . . . . . . The situation is full of explosive possibilities and breach of the peace is inherent in it."

After this appraisal of the situation he ended his letter in the following manner:

“Under the circumstances I consider it necessary to regulate the conduct of meetings and processions by enforcement of section 30 of the Police Act. I therefore propose to apply section 30 of the Police Act within the limits of Koilpatti town and Koilpatti Panchayat Board, for one] year from 10th January, 1951 and request your concurrence.”

Sometime in February-the date does not appear in the document before me -the Assistant Co