Police attack protesters
Wednesday 17 October 2012
Printable
EmailChilean police fired water cannon at indigenous protesters for the second day running on Tuesday during a visit by President Sebastian Pinera to the restive Mapuche homeland.
President Pinera received a cold greeting from Mapuche leaders in the Auracania region who say he's ignored their demands for land rights and autonomy.
Leaders of the indigenous group also demanded the release of four Mapuches who have been on a hunger strike for 51 days after they were accused of the attempted murder of Chilean police officers and carrying weapons illegally.
Police officers have been accused of violent abuses in the indigenous communities.
Mapuche leader Jorge Huenchullan said that 15 Temucuicuis had been arrested on Tuesday morning for putting up posters against President Pinera.
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