The Police advance on two fronts to Mairana to lift the blockades

The blockade carried out in Mairana, 135 kilometers from Santa Cruz, by supporters of Evo Morales, who arrived from Chapare and Sacaba, mobilized the Police for an intervention. It was announced for early today.

After keeping that town paralyzed and its inhabitants, as well as transporters on both sides, in uncertainty, The police received orders to move to the scene and act from two fronts for greater effectiveness.

The mobilization began with the transfer of a contingent with all its protective equipment from El Trompillo airport, on a Hercules plane of the Bolivian Air Force (FAB) direct to Cochabamba.

In the afternoon and at night, the Police Command instructed the formation of the units’ personnel, provided with their anti-riot uniforms and protectors to travel by land in vehicles to Mairana.

The established operations plan consists of surprising on both fronts. Those who left through Cochabamba will enter through Comarapa until arriving at Mairana. The uniformed men in other groups who left by land from the capital of Santa Cruz to the route through Samaipata, They will make common strength to join together with their comrades and unlock.

Are hundreds of motorized vehicles standing on both sides with people on board, who have not been able to reach their destination for days. Travelers had to throw away their products already damaged by time on the road.

For their part, civic leaders from Los Valles confirmed that this Monday at least 5,000 residents of Vallegrande, and other municipalities, will join the Police to unblock and remove the people who have taken over Mairana for days and paralyzed traffic. of that route.

This Sunday afternoon there was an intermediate period for the passage of vehicles in Mairana. However, the Police Intelligence services detected that The blockaders moved to the summit of Samaipata, then they retreated to the hills. Shortly after, they blocked the route again.

The Police showed that in Mairana, in the peasant market, near the occupied Police facilities, more than 500 hooded people remain and carry dynamite, sticks and stones.

Another group, in the area of ​​the bridge near the pump, is also armed. Residents denounced that the blockers They have camouflaged people on every corner of the streets to neutralize the neighbors, in case they try to react. They all arrived from Chapare and Sacaba.

The intervention scheduled for today, Monday, is another attempt by the police forces. On October 28 and 29, the Police unlocked the blockade, but met with stiff resistance with sticks, stones and dynamite attacks. In the end, 27 police officers and three journalists were injured. Likewise, police officers and journalists were taken hostage in a house, but were released in exchange for the freedom of 11 arrestees identified in the attack. In addition, the Police facilities in Mairana continue to be taken over by hooded men who caused destruction to furniture and documents.