(21 May 1997) Spanish/Nat
Residents of one of the poorest quarters in Bolivia's capital have been caught in a crossfire of stones and tear gas as teachers took to the streets for a second day running, demonstrating for better pay.
On Tuesday the neighbourhood of La Paz became a battle ground as hundreds of teachers clashed head on with riot police.
Residents complained of police harassment and brutality.
What began as a teachers' strike in Bolivia turned into violent street clashes on Tuesday involving police and ordinary citizens.
The teachers, who started their strike for higher wages last week, are taking part in a general strike called by the Bolivian Labour Confederation.
They marched through La Paz on Monday but on Tuesday, clashes broke out, spilling over into several local neighborhoods.
Teachers took to the streets throwing sticks, stones and lighting dynamite explosives.
Police responded with tear gas and arrested an estimated 50 demonstrators.
No serious injuries have so far been reported.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"They have kicked me in the balls (testicles) and here behind (pointing at his back) on the orders of this officer. I am not carrying arms. My name is Jaime Chura, I am a teacher from the countryside."
SUPER CAPTION: Jaime Chura, teacher
But residents in one of La Paz's poorest barrios, La Portada, were caught in the crossfire of stones and bullets
Several reported forced police entries into private homes.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"More than 12 soldiers against one, to beat him, this is an abuse, they are assassins, killers."
SUPER CAPTION: Rosa Gomez, resident of La Paz
The latest clashes marked a change in attitude by the authority towards law enforcement following Monday's mainly peaceful demonstration.
On Monday, police were ordered not to intervene to avoid inciting more widespread unrest.
But on Tuesday, residents who had no part in the teachers' strike, vented anger both at the riot police in their neighborhood, and the teachers.
SOUNDBITE: (Spanish)
"They are not thieves, they are not assassins, they are not drug-traffickers, how can they do that, what is the government thinking. These police are so ungrateful, thanks to the teachers."
SUPER CAPTION: Maria Chavez, resident of La Paz
The flare up of civil unrest highlights the fragile state of Bolivia in the run up to general elections next month.
The president Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada is at loggerheads with public sector workers over issues of pay and work conditions.
His party is anxious to reach an agreement but relations with organisations such as the Bolivian Labour Confederation have become more tense in the last few days.
Leaders of the confederation have been on hunger strike for 16 days.
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