State of emergency declared due to protests

GUATEMALA CITY (AP):

The Guatemalan government declared a state of emergency and banned public gatherings yesterday in four townships east of the capital following several days of violent clashes between police and anti-mining protesters.

The confrontations, which included mine security guards, have left one policeman dead, six residents wounded by rubber bullets, and police cars burned. Twenty-three police officers were briefly held by protesters before they were rescued.

The government sent in hundreds of police officers and soldiers, some in armoured personnel vehicles. The government says the protesters are armed with guns and explosives.

Residents of the area, mainly members of the Xinca indigenous group, claim the mine threatens their local water sources.

"Investigations have found that a number of crimes have been committed, including homicide, kidnapping, the destruction of government property," said President Otto Perez Molina. He said 10 arrests have been carried out so far, "based on arrest warrants issued days ago against suspects in killings and kidnappings."