大象传媒

大象传媒 World Service
Last updated:聽4 november, 2009 - 15:25 GMT

Blood at Devil鈥檚 Curve

The violence at Devil's Curve was the deadliest Peru had seen in years.

When native Amazonian tribes had their land rights further threatened by new laws this year they took to the street to protest.

After demonstrating for two months, their protest came to a bloody end on a stretch of road ominously known as Devil鈥檚 Curve, or Curva del Diablo.

Armed police were deployed to clear thousands of indigenous people, ending in a violent clash which killed at least 34 protesters and police.

After the bloodshed, the battle continued over why so many people died that day.

Whilst the authorities say the police were fired on and returned fire, protesters say they had only wooden spears though guns may have been taken in the scuffles.

Now a commission has been formed to investigate the conflicting accounts.

One of those wounded at the scene was the renowned native leader, Santiago Manuin.

He was injured in the demonstration and spent months recovering in hospital, continually surrounded by armed police. His arrest warrant has now been lifted.

Outlook's Dan Collyns went to meet him to hear about his situation and the terrible day at Devil鈥檚 Curve.