Brazil indigenous
protest blocks major
iron ore railway
Brazilian indigenous people in the Amazon region have
blocked one of the country's most important railways in
a protest for better public services.
The railway is owned by mining giant Vale and connects the world's
largest iron ore mine, Carajas, to a port on the northern coast near
Sao Luis.
The track transports more than 100m tonnes of the mineral each year.
It is the second time this week that the trains have been halted by
protesters of neighbouring villages.
Protesters from several tribes burned wood on the railway in the
Amazonian region of Alto Alegre do Pindare, demanding better
transport, education, health and security.
Last week, they blocked the railway for two days.
Earlier this week, residents of another village near Sao Luis,
in the state of Maranhao, also stopped the trains in a protest.
No passenger service
They want Vale to act on their behalf in negotiations with the authorities.
Because of the protests, the passenger train that transports about
1,500 passengers a day between the city of Parauapebas, in
Para, and Sao Luis has not resumed its regular service since last week.
Despite having a court authorisation to evict the protesters at any
time, Vale chose not to enforce it, the world's second largest
mining company said in a statement.
The demonstrations came about a month after several thousand
Brazilians took to the streets of the country's major cities in
a wave of protests against poor public services, corruption
and the cost of staging the 2014 World Cup.
Vale has faced several protests from indigenous peoples of
the region in the past, more recently because of its expansion
plans for the 892km-long railway.
Despite court challenges and fierce criticism, work on a second
line along its railway to the coast is under way.
Elsewhere in the Amazon, land grabbing, illegal logging and
mining conflicts are common grievances.
But the giant Belo Monte hydroelectric dam project has been
the focus of most protests and clashes.
The Brazilian government says it is needed to guarantee Brazil's
energy provision, especially in the Amazon region, which still
relies heavily on fossil fuels.
Critics say the controversial project will cause irreversible
social, cultural and environmental damage.
So far, however, demonstrations and court challenges have
failed to prevent it from going ahead.
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