Mexico: At Least 8 Killed After Forest Keepers And Woodcutters Clash

[News_Editor]

Mexico: At least 8 killed after forest keepers and woodcutters clash 2012-04-20 09:39:27 GMT+7 (ICT) MORELIA, MICHOACAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least eight people were killed on Thursday when a violent brawl broke out between forest keepers and woodcutters in western Mexico, officials said.The incident occurred in the municipality of Cheran, located in the state of Michoacan, when members of the 'Comunal Brigade,' which looks over the area's forests, were attacked by a group of armed men.Michoacan's Attorney General's Office said the forest keepers fought off the attackers and, as a result, eight people were killed, including two comunal members and six attackers, apparently local woodcutters. Five members of the brigade were also injured during the clashes. They were transported to medical facilities in the area.However, locals reported a different version of the incident, saying the clashes broke out between a group of woodcutters in the forest area near the Packjaracua Mountain. During the clashes, locals said, six people were killed, including two who were burnt inside a vehicle. They added that two forest keepers from Cheran were on their break when they were caught in the middle of fighting. They were also killed in the clashes.The Attorney General's Office identified the victims as David Campos Macías, 45; Santiago Ceja Alonso, 50, both from Cheran; Cristóbal Magaña Gabriel, Cristóbal Salmerón Magaña, Anselmo Gabriel Talavera, Jorge Magaña Gerónimo and Antonio Gabriel Romero, all from El Cerecito; as well as Lorenzo 'N,' from Purepero, whose identity was not confirmed as his body was found badly burnt.Cheran is a small indigenous community where traditional customs are still used to choose its leaders. Less than a month ago, members of Cheran's local council gathered with state officials, warning that tensions were high because members of organized crime had arrived in the area in order to try to take control of the area's forests for plantations. Following the incident, locals have called for Federal Police to intervene, warning that with no response from authorities, they would seek justice on their own.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2012-04-20

[GentlemanJim]

As if the country doesn't have enough killings and murders each week, now even the forestmen are involved. It's a place I have been in the past on holiday, I wouldn't even contemplate it now.

[Steely Dan]

They should have a Mexican version of the twelve days of Christmas. Recent verses are 'Ten severed heads' and 'eight woodcutters cutting'. But fourteen corpses in binbags would not work, unless the Christmas festivities were extended.

Edited April 20, 2012 by Steely Dan