Ethiopia's Information Minister has defended the imposition of a state of emergency saying organised gangs have been targeting civilians. Federal troops will be deployed across the country and protests can be banned. <br/><br/>It follows months of anti-government demonstrations by members of the country's two largest ethnic groups. Violence has intensified since last Sunday when at least 55 people were killed during a protests at an Oromo religious festival.<br/><br/>The state of emergency, which was announced yesterday, will last for six months. Ethiopia's Information Minister Getachew Reda told that the state of emergency could involve banning protests. He explained, for the sake of maintaining public order the government believes that the temporary suspension of certain expression rights is warranted. He also promised that the Ethiopian authorities will investigate claims that off-grid police officers have killed civilians.