
Indigenous protesters in the Bolivian Amazon have resumed a long-distance march against a controversial road project, a week after their demonstration was broken up by police. Around 1.000 protesters set off to complete the remaining 250km (155 miles) to La Paz.
Plans to build a highway through an indigenous rainforest reserve have sharply divided opinion in Bolivia.
Two ministers resigned last week amid outrage at the repression of the march.
"We have resumed the march and our intention is not to clash with anybody," indigenous leader Adolfo Chavez told Reuters.
"Instead of accusing the indigenous people, what the government should do is resolve the problem of the road once and for all."
Outcry
The protesters began their long march in August as part of a campaign against government plans to build a highway through the Isiboro Secure Indigenous Territory and National Park - known by its Spanish acronym Tipnis.
But halfway along their route they were first blocked and then dispersed by riot police using batons and tear gas.
Television footage of the police action provoked a national outcry, with large demonstrations of support for the marchers in La Paz and other cities. Defence Minister Cecilia Chacon resigned in protest, and Interior Minister Sacha Llorenti - who was in charge of the police - also stepped down.
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