1.
MLS TRUCKLOADS OF CREOLES BEING MOVED OUT OF MUSLIM AREA (THREE SHOTS)
0.27

2.
MS REFUGEE CENTRE
0.33

3.
MS CREOLES ARRIVING AT CENTRE
0.38

4.
MS LOCAL POLICEMEN AT CENTRE
0.41

5.
MLS GIRLS, COLLEGE -- CENTRE FOR MUSLIMS
0.48

6.
MS MUSLIM REFUGEES (FIVE SHOTS)
1.08

7.
LS REFUGEE CENTRE PAN TO MOSQUE
1.15

8.
MS CLOTHING INSIDE MOSQUE FOR DISTRIBUTION
1.21

9.
MS REFUGEES SELECTING ARTICLES
1.29

10.
MS MUSLIM REFUGEES (TWO SHOTS)
1.37

11.
MS MORE REFUGEES
1.42



Initials CAR/V/MK/YA/RBI



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE MAURITIUS SITUATION IS STEADILY RETURNING TO NORMAL AFTER 11 DAYS OF RACIAL CLASHES BETWEEN CREOLES AND MUSLIMS IN WHICH 24 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

IN PORT LOUIS, A DUSK TO DAWN CURFEW BEGAN ON TUESDAY (JAN 30) BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY SECURITY FORCES AND BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF HOOLIGANS AT NIGHT.

ACCORDING TO ITS PRIME MINISTER, THE DISTURBANCES WERE NOT POLITICAL IN NATURE AND WERE NOT AGAINST INDEPENDENCE, DUE ON MARCH 12. IT WAS A SERIOUS COMMUNAL CLASH BETWEEN CREOLES AND MUSLIMS WHICH BEGAN WITH GANGS TRYING TO PROTECT THE PROSTITUTE TRADE.

SINCE THE START OF THE TROUBLE, ABOUT 3,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EVACUATED TO SAFETY. THEY ARE NOW HOUSED IN CENTRES HEAVILY PROTECTED BY BRITISH TROOPS AND LOCAL FORCES.

THIS IS VISNEWS EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF THE EVACUATION ON MONDAY (JAN 29). SEVERAL TRUCK-LOADS OF CREOLES MOVED OUT OF PREDOMINANTLY MUSLIMS AREA AND VICE-VERSA.

THE REFUGEES WERE UPROOTED FROM 600 HOMES AND SOME DESTROYED BY FIRE AT THE HEIGHT OF THE DISTURBANCES.

THE MUSLIMS REFUGEES ARE BEING HOUSED IN A MUSLIM GIRLS' COLLEGE AND MOSQUE. CLOTHING, FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THE DISPLACED MUSLIMS. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO STAY IN THESE CENTRES UNTIL THE SITUATION IMPROVES.