A military plane carrying riot police has arrived on Easter Island to reinforce security forces after clashes between police and protesters left dozens injured.
Chile's Interior Ministry said the eviction of indigenous Rapa Nui demonstrators from government buildings which they have been squatting in will continue. The protesters claim the buildings were erected on property which had been illegally confiscated from their families.
Police used tear-gas, pellet guns and plastic bullets to remove protesters from some government buildings yesterday resulting in dozens of injuries. A documentary film-maker, Santi Hitorangi, claims that he had to remove 14 metal pellets from his back after police shot him while he was filming the protests.
Disputes over land on Easter Island go back to 1888 when the Chilean government annexed the island. The Chilean Interior Minstry claimed that the islanders have ignored efforts made by the Chilean government to reach a compromise.
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