Indigenous woman wounded by tear gas bomb for defending the Ccarhuarazo

Constantina Lopez Garriaz was injured while defending the Ccarhuarazo. Photo: Luis Alberto Licla Atoccsa

- Quechua villager was marching peacefully in defense of a sacred mountain threatened by mining.

Servindi, 13 March, 2015.- A woman identified as Constantina Garriazo Lopez was hit in the head by a teargas canister while marching peacefully in defense of Ccarhuarazo Apu in the province of Lucanas, Ayacucho, in the Andes of Peru.

The brutal attack took place in a massive march held on March 10, as part of a 48-hour strike called on by the Front for the Defense of the province of Sucre against the Kimsa Orcco mining project owned by the Australian company Laconia Resources.

According to Emilio Orosco, president of the front, the police presence in Puquio sent to stifle the march exceeded 300 police personnel.

The injured woman remained hospitalized and in the company of her family.

Meanwhile, social organizations expect a statement from President Ollanta Humala and the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) on the future of the Ccarchuarazo sacred mountain.

The population of the province of Sucre and part of Lucanas opposes mining in the mountain because it is a sacred site and also headwaters of the Chicha, Pampas and Sondondo rivers, which supply both provinces.

Massive march in Puquio against mining in the Ccarhuarazo. Photo: Luis Alberto Licla Atoccsa

The population demands the Minem the annulment of the decision to allow Laconia to carry out prospecting in the area.

According to media report by SER News, the 48-hour strike was a success and demonstrations against the mining project were massive.

The president of the Defense Front of Sucre said that the struggles will continue and that they are preparing a March of Sacrifice to the Capital city of Lima in April.