Protestors and police hurt in clashes

SEVEN  POLICE officers and at least a dozen indigenous protestors  were injured in a confrontation in Gualaquita, Bocas del Toro, on Thursday night August 26.

The clash occured during  demonstrations following   the signing of an agreement between the government  and leaders of the indigenous  peoples over the Barro Blanco Hydroelectric project.

It came after government leaders were basking in the wake of UN officials praise for an “historic” agreement.

The indigenous  protestors were injured by rubber billets accoding to social media reports.

Their  leader Carrizo Ofelia  said they suffered chest and eye injuries.

He called for the presence of the Ombudsman for the wounded to be taken to hospitals, as they have not received medical care because they are afraid of being arrested by the police in hospitals.

Meanwhile, three of  officers were taken by plane to Panama for medical attention said National Police chief, Omar Pinzon.

“We did  not use weapons or buckshot. The police were injured by stones. Although we have not seen wounded indigenous  people but jounalists have reported that there are.

“However they have not gone to hospitals to be treated” Pinzon said atMarcos A. Gelabert Airport, where he went to receive the injured officers.

Five indigenous protestors have been arrested.

Bocas del Toro National Police director Sisinio Nunez said that the police intervention was due to intermittent blockage of roads that would hamper trade and patient care in hospitals.

He said police had seized machetes, molotov cocktails and blunt weapons.