Pedro Pedruzzi (3) and Priscilla Mazonetti Reporters Agência Brasil
Brasília – Since the beginning of a strike of Military Police (“Policia Militar”) in Bahia on February 1, the number of murders weekly in the capital, Salvador, has doubled, rising from 41 to 83. During the same period, robberies rose from 78 to 150. State authorities have called the strike illegal and refused to grant an amnesty. At least 12 arrest warrants against leaders of the strike movement have been issued (but there are reports of only one arrest).
The striking policemen are demanding a career plan, a gratification and salary increase (the government is offering a 6.5% pay increase), besides a general amnesty for participants in the movement. After camping out in front of the state Legislative Assembly, over the weekend they invaded the building.
The state Secretary of Security says the number of police on strike is only around 30% of the 30,000 the state has. But , the secretary adds that due to certain characteristics it is believed that striking policemen are participating in the crimewave that has hit the city. Striking policemen, wearing masks, disrupted traffic in the center of the city causing panic among residents.
The federal government has responded by sending in the Army. Over the weekend the number of army troops in Salvador reached 3,500. An army lieutenant colonel told Agência Brasil that the biggest problem, caused by the uncertainty, was a wave of rumors sweeping the urban center. He explained that his men, along with Military Police and Civil Police not on strike, were on the streets to ensure the population that authority was being maintained and that their security was being taken care of. Beside the soldiers, there are four combat vehicles (“Urutu”) that are circulating in the city.
The latest news from Salvador is that some 600 soldiers have surrounded the Legislative Assembly to serve arrest warrants on the leaders of the strike movement.
Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English
Link - Sobe para 83 número de homicídios na Bahia, desde início da greve
Link - Forças Armadas ampliam para 3,5 mil contingente de militares na Bahia
Link - Homicídios na Bahia quase dobram em relação à semana anterior à greve dos policiais militares
