Bolivian police clash with indigenous protesters

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Bolivian police clash with indigenous protesters

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Police clashed with demonstrators who were protesting against construction of Amazon highway.

06 July,2012 05:57 am

Bolivian police used tear gas and water cannon to try and break up indigenous demonstrators camped out in a La Paz plaza in protest of a controversial Amazonian highway that would cut through the Isiboro Secure Indigenous Territory and National Park (TIPNIS).Thousands of demonstrators marched some 600 kilometres (370 miles) on foot to the capital city over two months time from Bolivias eastern Amazonian lowlands to La Paz to protest the proposed $420 million government project.Police in riot gear moved on the camp and a mob of protesters responded by hitting the police with sticks and hurling rocks and other projectiles.The police fired tear gas and water cannon at the camp to try and disperse the crowd which included children and elderly demonstrators.The protesters said the police destroyed some of their equipment and left tents unusable, clothing and blankets soaked and food scattered on the ground.Weve been gassed and they watered down our beds. Five people, among them children and seniors have been affected by the tear gas. They were just sitting in their tents in protest when the government acted with violence, said an indigenous TIPNIS leader, Fernando Vargas.The government has said it has secured approval from TIPNIS officials to move forward with a referendum on the issue which has been pushed back to July 29.However, many of the marchers are opposed to the referendum and stepped up their demands that the government of President Evo Morales abandon the project without a vote.They have also accused the government of replacing indigenous leaders with representatives loyal to the government in order to secure approval.