VIOLENCE IN CITY

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29776, 20 March 1962, Page 9

VIOLENCE IN CITY

Guatemala Riots

(N.Z. Press Assn.— Copyright) GUATEMALA CITY, Mar. 17. Anti-Government demonstrators burned cars and set up street barricades on the outskirts of Guatemala City today. Police used tear gas and

fired warning shots to disperse them. United

Press International reported.

The Army took over power plants and bus lines last night to extend its control over a city hit by what Government sources called an outbreak of “Castro-Com-munist” violence. But disturbances continued today. Groups of professional men and students remained out on strike.

Demonstrators blocked traffic last night and today by tearing down lamp posts and using timbers to build barricades. They also strewed spikes in the streets to puncI tore tyres and then seized j cars for use as roadblocks. | Police using tear-gas bombs [quickly disbanded the demonstrators. Heavilyarmed soldiers put the city under virtual martial law, on orders from the President, Mr Miguel Ydigoras Fuenter, after about 20 persons were killed and at least 500 wounded in street clashes and disorders. Police arrested several left-wing political leaders of opposition political parties. Students launched the violent protests against alleged frauds in last December's elections, in which Mr Ydigoras' Conservative Party scored an easy victory. Seven policemen were reported beaten by an angry crowd at a cemetery yesterjday during burial services | for some victims of street I fights. Troops stalked two guerrilla rebel bands still [roaming in east and northieast Guatemala.