Indigenous groups occupy Brazil hydro-electric plant
Indigenous protesters in
the Brazilian Amazon have occupied the site of a hydro-electric plant
they say has been built on an ancient burial ground.
Some 300 protesters took over the power plant in Mato Grosso
state on Sunday, initially preventing 100 workers from leaving, local
media reported.
They want compensation and have demanded talks with the company and
government officials.
The plant is one of several being constructed in the Amazon region.
The protesters, from several tribes and armed with bows and arrows,
occupied the power plant site early on Sunday.
An estimated 100 construction workers were unable to leave, but there
were no reports of any violence or injuries.
Later reports on Monday said the protesters had allowed the
workers to leave, with several company officials taking their place.
The plant is being built on the Aripuana river, some 400km (250 miles)
north of the Mato Grosso state capital, Cuiaba.
It is the first phase of a hydro-electric project there and is expected
to start operations by January 2011.
'Cultural impact'
The Indians want compensation for the construction of the
plant, saying it has destroyed an ancient burial ground and
archaeological site.
"This site is 30km from our reserve and has caused great
cultural and social impact in our community, not to mention
environmental damage," Aledeci Arara, a tribal leader, told the G1 news
portal.
The plant's manager, Paulo Rogerio Novaes, said the
indigenous protesters were seeking better living conditions, demands the
government should address.
"The company has never refused to do something for the
community, but we are awaiting a study from Funai, which is analysing
what should be done," he said, referring to the government's indigenous
affairs agency.
About 80% of the energy in Brazil comes from hydro-electric
dams and the government has been pushing ahead with the construction of
new plants.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-10759465
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