Two grenades exploded outside the homes of judicial officials in Madagascar in the latest of over 20 such attacks against public figures since June, military police said yesterday. Unknown assailants in the coastal town of Toliara threw grenades at the homes of the town?s public prosecutor, Christian Rajaobelina, and head of the appeal court, George Seraphen, in the early hours of Tuesday. There were no injuries. ?We are treating this as an act of intimidation whose purpose was to create fear,? said the chief of the gendarmerie, Augustine Randriansolo. At least 21 grenade attacks in the last nine months have rocked the huge Indian Ocean island, where soaring prices of staple goods have sparked violent street protests. Last November, a spate of attacks targeted Prime Minister Jacques Sylla?s home and property belonging to President Marc Ravalomanana?s dairy company.

In the worst attack, 40 people were wounded in June when assailants threw grenades into crowds in three towns celebrating the 44th anniversary of Madagascar?s independence from France. The coastal town of Toliara was hit by two tropical storms last month, killing at least 15 people and leaving over 12,000 homeless. Madagascar?s top judiciary officials are currently in a high profile confrontation with the government over pay. Judges and magistrates have been on a general strike since Feb. 14.