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Army takes over amid Brazil police strike

The Brazilian army has been brought in to end days of violence and looting in the state of Espirito Santo as the state's police continue a six-day strike.

A large crowd of mourners attend the funeral  of policeman Mario Marcelo Albuquerque, who was killed in the line of duty in Serra, Brazil, 08 February 2017.
A large crowd of mourners attend the funeral of policeman Mario Marcelo Albuquerque, who was killed in the line of duty in Serra, Brazil, 08 February 2017. Source: EFE

The southeastern Brazilian state of Espirito Santo has turned over security duties to the army as it tries to solve a police crisis that has led to a wave of violence and at least 100 deaths.

The killings in the state capital of Vitoria and other cities erupted as friends and family of military police officers blocked their barracks over the weekend to demand higher pay for the officers.

Brazil's Military Police force patrols the nation's cities and is barred by law from going on strike.

The union representing civil police officers said 101 people have been killed since police stopped patrolling the streets Friday night. The state government has not released a death toll.

Meanwhile in Rio de Janeiro, military police fired tear gas into a violent protest against privatisation of some public services.

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Protesters gathered outside the government legislature to denouncing privatising the state's water and sewage company.

Several protesters with covered faces began vandalising buildings next to the legislature Thursday, and some threw rocks and petrol bombs at police.

Police shot gas at the protesters and walked through the streets in formation.

A string of protests in front of the legislature have turned violent in recent months.

The state of Rio de Janeiro is mired in a deep financial crisis causing thousands of state workers to be paid months late.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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