Coll 28/97(2) ‘Tehran Intelligence Summaries’ [‎83r] (165/252)

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INTx^m jL SJCURITY^
^^2* Isfah an*
Reference li.;Js sur.naary iio-20/1948 para 12*
.i second assault was made on Jmad ualek, the Tudeh party leader
in Isfahan, early in December* He was attacked and injured with a knifej
his assailants, according to the Governor-General, being workers belonging
to the Government sponsored D.G.K.I. union.
13* Pars.
I'here has been some deterioration of security on the roads in
Pars during the last two months. Several hold-ups by amed brigands
have occurred on the road between Pasa and ohiraz, and in one of these a
Persian contractor was killed. On 3rd December there was a hold-up on
the road between Ghiraz and Bushire, and another between Shiraz and
Firuzabad. In the latter case a lorry driver succeeded in notifying the
nearest gendarmerie who, acting with commendable promptness, arrived on
the scene while the bandits were still busy with the contents of a bus,
and succeeded in capturing one of the gang. The new G.O.C. in Pars
recently told i.If.Consul of his intention to concentrate the sub-units of
his division which were previously located, presumably to aid security, in
outlying villages. Xhough perhaps desirable from the point of view of
administration and training, the concentration of these troops is scarcely
likely to improve security in the area unless the division is provided
with transport to make it much more mobile than it is at present.
14* Azerbaijan.
The situation in Azerbaijan remains generally quiet. H.M.Consul-
General at Tabriz reports that last month there was some nervousness
amongst many of the population due to flights of unidentified aircraft, at
i great height, over the province, and to rumours that something would
happen on 12th December, the anniversary of the liberation of^the province,
now celebfated as Persian ^rmy Day. The day, however, passed peacefully.
>In Tabriz there were endless processions and apparently genuine displays
of patriotism and loyalty to the bhah amidst an atmosphere of enthusiasm
and good humour. H.K.Consul-General states that there had been much
more nervousness about a possible 'come—back’ by the Democrats the previous
year, and that this time there was consioerable spontaneity eveident in
the celebrations. Returned deportees continue to cause some e.nxiety to
both civil and military authorities and there is little doubt that some
|^p.re in touch with the Russians ana receive financial help from them*
15* Tudeh ac tivity in Khuzistan.
Reports inc.icate that Tudeh party activity is on the increase in
aliwaz and Khorramshahr. A similar 'step-up* in the number of cell
meetings and subscription levies is also reported from the Oil Field areas,
particularly iiasjid—i—ouleiman. In ^.badan about 48 cell meetings took
place between Nov.16th and December 15th. During the sane period three
individuals, all identified as prominent Tudeh party leaders, visited
I ^ibadan for a few days in each case. All throe are known labour agitators,
and two were arrested for subversive activities during the 1946 strike. A
report from Ahwaz describes the arrival of a succession of suspicious
nondescript characters by train from the north. The Russian Consulate
appears to have a particular interest in these suspects*
16. Gtrike in .xbadan.
On 13th December approximately 400 workers of the shipping
/Department. . .