Peru suspends civil liberties after anti-mining clash

Lima (Peru), Sep 30: The government suspended civil liberties and called out the military in a highlands region after four people were killed and 22 injured in a clash between Peruvian police and farmers over a Chinese-owned copper mining project.

The state of emergency announced yesterday was the second declared this year by Peru's government after fatalities in an anti-mining protest. It is to last 30 days.

Officials said the violence broke out Monday when protesters encroached on the USD 7.4 billion Las Bambas mine project and police opened fire. Health officials said gunfire killed four farmers and wounded 14.

Authorities said eight police officers were injured. Police Gen. Luis Pantoja told RPP radio that two of the officers suffered cracked skulls. The project, owned by a consortium led by China Minmetals Corp, is Peru's largest and is to begin production in 2016.

AP