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Indigenous protestors injured in clashes with police in Peru
Aug 21, 2008, 4:54 GMT
A handout photo provided by Ahora-Amazonas Newspaper shows Peruvian police officers chasing a man during clashes with indgenous people in Bagua Province, Peru, 20 August 2008. Ten people were injured in the clashes, authorities said. EPA/AHORA-AMAZONAS NEWSPAPER
Lima - At least 10 people where injured in northern Peru when indigenous people protesting the exploitation of the Amazon rainforest clashed with police.
The violence Wednesday came during the latest of 11 days of protests by indigenous groups, which have organized strikes and roadblocks against new laws facilitating the sale of land in their traditional settlement areas in the Amazon jungle.
Indigenous communities can approve the sale of land with a simple majority vote. In the past, a two-thirds majority was necessary.
The protestors said they fear the new rules would facilitate access to the rainforest for international companies exploiting raw materials - in particular oil, mining and logging companies - and would threaten their traditional lifestyles.
President Alan Garcia warned Congress not to overturn the laws, which are geared toward attracting foreign investors.
'It would be a historic mistake and would continue the poverty in the affected regions,' he said.
However, analysts did not rule out Congress soon scrapping the rule, which had been decreed by the government recently.
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