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31 Killed In Clashes Between
Police,
Indigenous Protestors In Peru
Lima - At least 31 people were
reportedly killed and an undetermined number of
people were injured on Friday during the clashes
between Peruvian police and indigenous people who
were demonstrating in Peru's Amazon region.
Peruvian Interior Minister Mercedes Cabanillas said
nine policemen were shot dead, while at least 22
indigenous people also were killed in the clashes.
An injured policeman is sent to the hospital after a
clash in north Peru's Bagua, June 5, 2009. At least
31 people died and an undetermined number of people
were injured on Friday after the clashes between the
Peruvian police and indigenous people in the
Peruvian Amazons. (Xinhua Photo)
An injured policeman is sent to the hospital after a
clash in north Peru's Bagua, June 5, 2009. At least
31 people died and an undetermined number of people
were injured on Friday after the clashes between the
Peruvian police and indigenous people in the
Peruvian Amazons. (Xinhua Photo)
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The clashes began early Friday morning on a highway
in the northern province of Utcubamba as the police
tried to clear the highway that has been blocked by
the indigenous demonstrators for 10 days.
When the police used tear gas to disperse the
protestors, the situation became worse and the
protestors arrived in the town of Bagua, where the
protestors set some public buildings on fire.
The indigenous people started demonstrating two
months ago demanding the abrogation of some
legislative decrees, which they fear will deprive
them of the lands they have lived for generations.
Meanwhile, indigenous leaders stopped talks with the
central government in Lima, saying the dialogue
would not be resumed unless the National Congress
abolishes the controversial legislative decrees.
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