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Student protests turn violent in Chile capital Santiago Student protests turn violent in Chile capital Santiago
(about 2 hours later)
Students and police have clashed in the Chilean capital Santiago during the latest protest over education reform.Students and police have clashed in the Chilean capital Santiago during the latest protest over education reform.
Police fired tear gas and water cannon, while masked students hurled homemade firebombs and set alight barricades near the university, witnesses said. Police used tear gas and water cannon against masked protesters who set up barricades and threw petrol bombs.
The protest movement - now in its fifth month - is the biggest in Chile since the return to democracy in 1990. With more demonstrations planned for Wednesday, the government has said it will invoke an emergency security law to help quell the violence.
The government has promised some reforms, but the students say they do not go far enough. The protest movement - which started in May - is the biggest in Chile since the return to democracy in 1990.
The students - and trade unions - called a two-day strike after talks with the government broke down earlier this month. The students, backed by teachers and trade unions, called the latest two-day national strike after talks with the government broke down earlier this month.
On Tuesday, the first day of the strike, the incidents of violence started early outside universities and schools in the capital - bringing the morning traffic to a halt. 'Too much hate'
Flaming barricades went up at more than 10 locations across the city, the AFP news agency quoted police as saying. The violence began early on Tuesday as protesters set up burning barricades on several main avenues across the capital, blocking rush hour traffic.
Youths threw stones and petrol bombs while police used water cannon to disperse the crowds. Masked assailants set fire to a city bus, and police raided university buildings in pursuit of suspects.
Masked assailants set fire to a city bus, injuring the driver although all the passengers escaped. A kindergarten had to be evacuated because of the tear gas. More than 60 people were arrested, police said.
There was a heavy police presence around the presidential palace, which has been the target of recent demonstrations. Interior minister Rodrigo Hintzpeter said those responsible for the bus attack would be prosecuted under the rarely-used Law of State Security, which allows tougher sentences for violent offenders.
Further demonstrations are planned for Wednesday. "We have seen too much violence, too much senseless destruction, too much hate," he said.
There have been violent clashes between students and police at previous protests.
Chile's high school and university students want major reforms to the country's education system, which is heavily reliant on private funding.Chile's high school and university students want major reforms to the country's education system, which is heavily reliant on private funding.
Nearly 40% of all education spending here comes not from the state, but from the pockets of ordinary Chileans in the form of tuition fees. That is the highest rate anywhere in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).Nearly 40% of all education spending here comes not from the state, but from the pockets of ordinary Chileans in the form of tuition fees. That is the highest rate anywhere in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Talks between the two sides broke down this month and there is no sign of a resolution. Indeed, positions appear to be hardening.Talks between the two sides broke down this month and there is no sign of a resolution. Indeed, positions appear to be hardening.
The protests are becoming more violent, and the government says it will not tolerate the almost weekly vandalism inflicted on the capital city.The protests are becoming more violent, and the government says it will not tolerate the almost weekly vandalism inflicted on the capital city.
Government promises Plebiscite
Student leaders have condemned the violence and say it is not related to their movement for educational reform.
Representatives of the movement went to the heavily guarded presidential palace to present an unofficial plebiscite on their demand for educational reform.
More than 1.5 million people took part in the plebiscite, with 88.7% voting in favour of free, public, high quality education, the organisers said.
Student leaders are demanding wholesale reform of Chile's education system, which they say is unequal and under-funded.Student leaders are demanding wholesale reform of Chile's education system, which they say is unequal and under-funded.
The system is sharply divided between private and public schools, an approach critics have labelled as "educational apartheid". They want the central government to take full control of education and increase spending on public schools and universities.
The protesters want the central government to take full control of education and increase spending on public schools and universities.
President Sebastian Pinera has responded by promising limited reforms and around $4bn (£2.6bn) in extra funding.President Sebastian Pinera has responded by promising limited reforms and around $4bn (£2.6bn) in extra funding.
On Tuesday he approved a law increasing subsidies for children from poor backgrounds attending private schools.
But he has categorically rejected calls for full state control and free education.But he has categorically rejected calls for full state control and free education.
Following a breakdown in talks between the two sides earlier this month, student leader Camila Vallejo said the government "did not have the political will to meet the demands of the great majority in our country".
Government spokesman Andres Chadwick responded by saying: "The student movement has been taken over by the most radical, the most intransigent, the most ideologically driven groups."