BBC NEWS
The residents of two remote towns in Brazil's Amazon region have attacked an indigenous reserve hours after members of a local tribe fled the area and took refuge in a nearby military base.
Townspeople in Humaita and Apui say members of the Tenharim tribe abducted three contractors over a week ago. They were last seen near the reserve.
The raid on the reserve saw empty houses set ablaze.
Local groups want police to carry out a full search of indigenous lands.
Tensions between non-indigenous residents of the two towns in Amazonas state and the tribe have been running high since a Tenharim leader was found murdered.
Some residents in Humaita believe the Tenharim may be holding the three missing men in retaliation for the killing of their leader.
Buildings burned
Earlier in the week, non-indigenous locals burned down buildings and clashed with police.
On Wednesday, about 3,000 Humaita residents protested against what they see as the slow speed of the investigation into the disappearance of the contractors.
They occupied the offices of the government's Indian affairs office, Funai, for hours, eventually setting it alight.
Others burned cars and a boat used to ferry the Tenharim from their reserve to the town.
A health care centre for the tribe also went up in flames.
About 120 military police officers tried to restore order. Riot police were sent to Humaita and the local police commander has requested further reinforcements.
Clashes between indigenous groups and non-indigenous locals are not uncommon in Brazil as they are often in conflict over land, logging and mining rights.
No comments:
Post a Comment