LIMA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Bolivian opposition on Wednesday blocked 26 gas wells in the southern part of the country to protest against the government's tax policies, while government's supporters blocked highways in response.

    According to reports reaching here from La Paz, administrative capital of Bolivia, the opposition stopped the operation of 26 gas wells in Vuelta Grande gas field in the southern province of Chuquisaca.

    Chaco Petroleum, owner of the gas wells, said the company currently has 36 wells in Vuelta Grande, and 29 of them with a daily output of some 2.264 million cubic meters.

    Meanwhile, coca leaf growers, supporters for the Bolivian government, blocked highways that connects the central province of Cochabamba with the eastern province of Santa Cruz.

    The supporters said they blocked the roads to protest against the opposition's "violent actions."

    Julio Salazar, one of the leaders of the coca leaf growers, said that "the patience is over." Some other leaders said the highway blocking could last for one month.

    The opposition-controlled provinces are demanding that the government return the money levied by hydrocarbons tax. The government used the tax revenue to aid the elderly people without stable incomes.