Clashes as Peru evicts squatters

2012-07-21 62

EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

(ROUGH CUT ONLY - NO REPORTER NARRATION)

At least one person died on Friday (July 20), the second day of violent clashes in Lima, Peru, when police tried to evict thousands of squatters from private property they had invaded.

Hundreds of police officers arrived in armoured vehicles and on foot to evict more than 2,500 squatters from this lot in the Ventanilla slum.

Riot police threw tear gas and detained residents who fought back with sticks and stones.

According to local media, within half an hour, police evicted the squatters, thus enforcing a court order.

At least six police officers were injured. One squatter died after he was shot and the vehicle taking him to the hospital crashed into a pole.

The squatters invaded the 70,000 square metre (17.3 acre) lot three days ago. They claim the land had been abandoned, clearing the way for them to occupy it legally.

After losing in court, they said they wanted to negotiate some sort of payment plan with the owners because they have nowhere to go. But the owners of the land said they are planning to develop it into a residential complex.