Seven Killed In Riots In Santo Domingo

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30982, 11 February 1966, Page 11

Seven Killed In Riots In Santo Domingo

> (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SANTO DOMINGO, Feb. 10. New trouble looms today in Santo Domingo after bloody riots that caused the death of seven persons and left at least 22 injured.

There is talk among Labour leaders of a city-wide strike tomorrow to protest against “police brutality.” In the riots five civilians and two policemen were killed. One policeman was stabbed to death and his body then drenched in petrol and set afire by the angry mob. United States troops of the Inter-American Force moved into the downtown section during the afternoon to remove United States Information Service and Canadian Embassy personnel. Demonstrators shouted antiAmerican slogans in the rioting that swirled through the

city after two students were killed in shooting outside the National Palace in the morning. A third student died of wounds late in the afternoon. The second policeman was killed by gunfire in another part of the city. Reasons Not Clear It was not clear what started the police reaction against the students, gathered at the National Palace in the morning with demands that the Government restore financial aid to the University I of Santo Domingo. Student leaders were inside [the palace trying to see President Hector GarciaGodoy when the shooting began. The officer in charge of the; police guard at the; palace told reporters that the;

threw rocks and : fired at the police. Student representatives denied this. Lasted Five Minutes The explosive police reac- ' tion with rifle fire and tear- ' gas grenades lasted about five minutes. The students dispersed in ; all directions, but regrouped i and then went into the downI town area, upsetting rubbish > bins, setting their contents on ; fire, and attacking passing, ■ vehicles. ■i At least two cars, one belonging to the United Nations ■ representative, were destroyed by fire. Angry groups of youths - roamed the downtown area after nightfall. Some pledged : to kill four policemen for : i every one of their number !j killed.