Protester killed in Peru's capital, rising crisis toll to 58
Lima (Peru) (AP): A protester has been killed in Lima during brutal clashes between police and demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte.
It was the first such death in Peru's capital. V ctor Santisteban Yacsavilca, 55, suffered a severe head injury during clashes with law enforcement in downtown Lima on Saturday, Peru's ombudsman said.
A total of 58 people, including one police officer, have now died amid the unrest across Peru that began after then-President Pedro Castillo was impeached and later arrested for trying to dissolve Congress on Dec. 7. Boluarte, who was then vice president, took over.
Protesters descended on Peru's capital earlier this month to expand demonstrations that had earlier largely been focused in the country's south and exposed deep divisions between residents of the capital and the long-neglected countryside.
Large protests also took place Saturday in Peru's southern Cusco region.
The demonstrations demanding Boluarte's resignation as well as the dissolution of Congress and early elections had been turning increasingly violent as frustrated protesters became angry at the way the government ignored their demands and staunchly defended the work of the police that met them with volleys of tear gas and pellets.
Groups of protesters remained in downtown Lima until late in the night but were often dispersed by police using tear gas.
"They're bastards, but we won't get tired," Juli n Mart nez said as he wore a Peruvian flag on his back that had the words, "Dina murderer."
Earlier, Boluarte had expressed regret that Congress failed to approve a measure that could have moved presidential elections forward to later this year.
"We regret that Congress was not able to come to an agreement to set a date for general elections," the presidency said in a message posted on social media.
Lawmakers shot down a bill late Friday that would have moved elections to the end of the year, although the measure could be reconsidered.
Boluarte, who had already expressed support for holding elections in 2024 rather than the previously scheduled 2026, called on Congress earlier this week to approve a schedule that could lead to a national vote later this year.
Almost two-thirds of Peruvians agree elections should be held later this year, according to a poll published by local newspaper La Rep blica Sunday.
There were 80 road blockades across the country Saturday as part of the protests, according to Peru's ombudsman.
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Two missing men found dead in Manipur's Kamjong, CM assures NIA probe
Imphal (PTI): Two men who went missing in Manipur's Kamjong district were found dead on Thursday, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Thangboimang Khongsai (35) from Shangkai in Ukhrul district and Thengin Baite (40) from nearby Thawai Kuki village.
The two had gone to repair water pipelines in a forest on Wednesday but did not return home, villagers claimed.
Their bodies were recovered at a short distance from each other by villagers and security personnel, hours after 21 Tangkhul Naga civilians, who had been detained by villagers and armed men from Shangkai, were released.
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Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh told the Assembly on Thursday that the case would be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and families of the deceased would be given compensation.
In a post on X, Singh said, "The government will hand over the case related to the death of two individuals at Thawai Kuki village to the NIA for a thorough and impartial investigation. Ex gratia will also be provided to the bereaved families as per government norms. The government remains committed to ensuring justice, maintaining law and order, and upholding the rule of law in the state."
Soon after the bodies were recovered, a police vehicle was targeted by a mob at Mongkot Chepu in Ukhrul district around 10 am. One vehicle was damaged in the attack, officials said.
Irate villagers at Shangkai also blocked the Ukhrul-Imphal road with stones and boulders to protest the killing.
