Grivas (leader of EOKA) changed his policy as his forces in the mountains became increasingly pressured by the British forces

In January 1957, Grivas (leader of EOKA) changed his policy as his forces in the mountains became increasingly pressured by the British forces. In order to divert the attention of the British forces, EOKA members started to target Turkish Cypriot policemen intentionally in the towns, so that Turkish Cypriots would riot against the Greek Cypriots and the security forces would have to be diverted to the towns to restore order.