Americas News
At least 19 dead in police crackdown on Peru protestors
Jun 6, 2009, 12:46 GMT
Lima - At least 19 people - 15 civilians and four police officers - died Friday in the Peruvian region of Amazonas in a police crackdown on indigenous people demanding land rights.
Leaders of indigenous communities confirmed the deaths of 15 Indios, which they blamed on the government of Peruvian President Alan Garcia.
The violence took place when police used force to end a road blockade near the town of Bagua, part of a strike by indigenous groups for close to two months. The Indios were demanding the revocation of laws that impact their claims on land.
Police Director Jose Sanchez Farfan confirmed that four police officers died in the fracas, but the Indios denied shooting them, arguing that their people didn't have firearms.
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