June 5, 1963 - Martial law was declared today in Teheran and a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew was imposed after a day of religious riots. Hospital authorities said more than 20 persons had been killed, and about 1,000 were reported to have been injured. The Iranian Government said its forces had quelled the disturbances. The rioters were supporters of a religious leader, 63-year-old Ruhollah Khomeini, also known as Ayatollah Khomeini. His followers are members of the Shiite Moslem sect, which opposes the Shah’s programs for land reform and for women’s emancipation and suffrage. Shouting anti-Government slogans, the rioters attacked and set fire to several private and Government offices. They smashed and burned official cars, army jeeps, and public transport vehicles. Troops with fixed bayonets and machine guns dispersed the rioters. Heavy American-made tanks and armored cars began patrolling the city. The Government announced that the situation was under control and that all assemblies were banned under martial law.
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