Peru to address Indians’ concerns

In a conciliatory move, Peru’s government told Amazon Indians on Monday that it would ask Congress to revoke decrees that native indigenous groups say would make it easier to exploit their lands for oil, gas and other development.

Indigenous peoples’ anger over the decrees spurred two months of on-and-off blockades of roads and rivers that turned violent June 5 when police opened fire on activists at a roadblock.

At least 24 police officers and nine civilians were killed, according to the government. Indigenous leaders have said at least 30 Indians were killed and they accused the police of hiding bodies.

Environment Minister Antonio Brack announced the concession after a delegation led by Cabinet chief Yehude Simon met with indigenous leaders Monday in the central jungle town of Mazamari.

Brack said the government also offered to end a state of emergency and curfew in Amazonas state, where the June 5 melee occurred.

He said Indian leaders promised in return to end a blockade that has cut a key road into the central Amazon.