Peasants, Police Clash in Mexico; 3 Killed

Police shot and killed three peasant protesters during a clash over corn prices in the southeastern state of Chiapas, peasant leader Juan Carlos Aguilar said. Police opened fire on the protesters as helicopters whirled overhead and dropped tear-gas canisters during the predawn clash near Venustiano Carranza, Aguilar said. At least one man was hospitalized with serious injuries, in the city of Comitan, he said, and federal army troops were also involved in the clash. Chiapas state government spokesman Fermin Rodriguez could not immediately confirm the report of the deaths. Peasants throughout the state have been protesting for several days in the capital of Tuxtla Gutierrez and in other regions, demanding a doubling in the base price for corn to about $315 a ton.