Dili, East Timor ? East Timor’s president announced emergency measures Tuesday after mobs stole evidence on massacres that followed the nation’s break from Indonesia.

President Xanana Gusmao’s declaration that he was taking sole control of security was seen as an attempt to break a political deadlock that has paralyzed the government and may have helped fueled deadly violence.

The announcement came after two days of wrangling with Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, leader of the ruling party.

What started last week as sporadic clashes between former soldiers and government troops has spiraled into gang warfare. Violence has engulfed the capital, killing at least 27 people and wounding 100. Some 1,300 foreign troops have been sent in.