Riot police move on indigenous protestors

(PanamaNewsRoom) Riot police arrived Saturday, Feburary 16, at several points on the Pan American highway in Chiriqui after three days of anti mining protests and blockades.

Ngabe-Bugle protestors in Panama cityThey managed to reopen the road at the intersection of Horconcitos and Boca del Monte.and dismantle road blocks including burning trees and tires near Ngäbe-Bugle villages.
Lines of blocked trucks stretched for kilometers along the highway.
There were early reports of injuries and arrests but Indidiginous leaders say that the government of President Ricardo Martinelli has nor heard any of their requests including the creation of a high  level inquiry commission. 
Indigenous communities in Veraguas are also facing riot squads , tasked with of opening the road used for transporting cargo to and from Central America.

Protests have been going on since the government passed a bill amending the mining code.

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Original Source: PanamaNewsRoom

Date Retrieved: February 27, 2011