TEGUCIGALPA, July 30 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were injured and 88 others detained on Thursday when Honduran soldiers and police clashed with followers of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, a police spokesman said.
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Honduran police and soldiers try to dislodge followers of ousted President Manuel Zelaya in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, July 30, 2009. At least six people were injured and 88 others detained on Thursday when Honduran soldiers and police clashed with followers of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, a police spokesman said. (Xinhua/David De La Paz) Photo Gallery>>> |
Police officers and soldiers dispersed a group of
some 2,000 Zelaya's supporters with tear gas and rubber bullets, who were
blocking a highway in El Durazno, a town 10km north of Tegucigalpa, police
spokesman Orlin Cerrato said.
A Xinhua reporter witnessed a man was shot in the
head during another clash between nearly 300 demonstrators and police at Belen
neighborhood, north of the capital.
The man identified as Roger Vallejo, a high school
teacher, was seriously injured and sent to the "Escuela" national hospital.
Hospital personnel said he still remained in a critical condition.
The police also attacked reporters from international
press. Cameramen from the Venezuelan TV channel Telesur were asked to surrender
their videotapes and a reporter from the international news agency Indy Media
was arrested.
During the clashes, police detained leader from the People's Block, Juan Barahona, who has been one of the main activists of the popular movement against the coup in June. He told local media that he was brutally beaten by the police and army.
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An injured follower of ousted President Manuel Zelaya is carried away in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, July 30, 2009. (Xinhua/David De La Paz) Photo Gallery>>> |
Carlos H. Reyes, a popular leader and independent
presidential candidate, complained about injuries sustained in the clash in his
ear and a fracture on one of his arms.
"We are protesting peacefully and suddenly they come
to hit us and throw tear gas on us," said Rafael Alegria, a representative of
deposed President Zelaya.
The police said in a statement on Wednesday that it
would not tolerate any highway blocking and occupation of public buildings.
Since the coup on June 28, Zelaya's followers have
been staging protests in demand of Zelaya's restitution.
The interim government imposed a curfew from 1:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) to 4:30 a.m. (1030 GMT) in most parts of the country, while on its border with Nicaragua, the curfew goes from 6:00 p.m. (0000 GMT) to 6:00 a.m (1200 GMT).