Italian authorities held an extraordinary summit Monday aimed at identifying possible Mafia connections in the outbreak of racial riots in the southern Calabrian town of Rosarno.
The unrest exploded on Thursday night after immigrants torched cars and litter bins in response to an initial air-rifle shooting. The rioting went
on for two days, with clashes between locals and migrant workers.
Some 53 people including 18 policemen were injured in the protest, which has brought to light the country's heavy immigration burden.
An inquiry is under way to identify possible Mafia responsibilities in the riots and exploitation of immigrant work in Rosarno. At least one clan-linked man was among those arrested for the attacks.
According to the police, the Mafia may have taken advantage of the riots in order to distort attention from a recent failed bomb explosion at
the prosecutor's office.
The situation in Rosarno is now under control. More than 1,000 immigrants, mainly farm laborers from sub-Saharan Africa, either fled the area or were transferred to migrant centers during the weekend. Their dwellings have been bulldozed by the authorities.
The government aims to move immigrants out of other high-crime areas near Naples and in Sicily.
The Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said on Monday that all illegal refugees will be expelled from the country. In his view Rosarno's riots were
the product of Italy's far too lenient immigration policy.