The hospital officials reported that, in the clashes between police and anti-mining demonstrators in Southern Peru, at least two people have been shot dead.

It was when about 1,000 people were prevented from breaching a security fence around the international airport in Juliaca, the violence in Puno region stated. A two day strike over a silver-mining contract given to a Canadian Corporation and the protest was a part of the same. Though it results in bringing few benefits to the local population, the demonstrators fear that this will increase the pollution.

During protest the flights were cancelled, threading hundreds of tourists who had been visiting the town on the shores on the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca. For more than one month, the Puno region on the border with Bolivia has been in the grip of a generalised protest against all mining activity.

The indigenous Aymara protesters blocked roads between the two countries for three weeks in the month of May. Again, the disputes over natural resources pit poor locals against the multinational companies. In the present case, it has been announced by the Peruvian mining ministry that it was suspending the Canadian silver mining project even as the protesters were taking to the streets.

It has been promised by President Ollanta Humala, the incoming president, to bring an end to such disputes.

Report by Sharika