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Indigenous reserve in the Brazilian Amazon attacked | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |