Brasília - Following a series of attacks on urban buses in Vitoria, capital of the state of Espirito Santo, the government has ordered army troops into the city to protect passengers. During the last week a total of ten buses have been boarded by hooded men. First they rob the buses and then they remove the passengers. Then they drive the buses away to other locations and set them on fire.

The commander of the 38th Infantry Battalion, colonel Elcio Silveira, reports that he has some 500 soldiers on duty in the city who are operating under guidelines set by the state secretary of Public Security. "We also have support from paratroopers and army police from Rio de Janeiro," says the colonel.

Military police [the city's regular police force] are guarding bus routes and riding buses to protect passengers. In addition, the Metropolitan Police have 800 men dealing with the problem. "If it is necessary, we will put more men on this," declared colonel Jonas de Brito, the Metropolitan Police commander. He added that it was essential to restore order and that everything would be done to do that.

Agencia Brasil
Reporter: Bianca Estrella
Translator: Allen Bennett
11/25/2004