Zelaya's followers clash with Honduran soldiers, leaving 6 injured

TEGUCIGALPA, July 30 -- At least six people were injured and 88 others detained on Thursday when Honduran soldiers and police clashed with followers of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, a police spokesman said.

Honduran police and soldiers try to dislodge followers of ousted President Manuel Zelaya in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, July 30, 2009. At least six people were injured and 88 others detained on Thursday when Honduran soldiers and police clashed with followers of ousted President Manuel Zelaya, a police spokesman said.

Police officers and soldiers dispersed a group of some 2,000 Zelaya's supporters with tear gas and rubber bullets, who were blocking a highway in El Durazno, a town 10km north of Tegucigalpa, police spokesman Orlin Cerrato said.

A Xinhua reporter witnessed a man was shot in the head during another clash between nearly 300 demonstrators and police at Belen neighborhood, north of the capital.

The man identified as Roger Vallejo, a high school teacher, was seriously injured and sent to the "Escuela" national hospital. Hospital personnel said he still remained in a critical condition.

The police also attacked reporters from international press. Cameramen from the Venezuelan TV channel Telesur were asked to surrender their videotapes and a reporter from the international news agency Indy Media was arrested.

During the clashes, police detained leader from the People's Block, Juan Barahona, who has been one of the main activists of the popular movement against the coup in June. He told local media that he was brutally beaten by the police and army.

An injured follower of ousted President Manuel Zelaya is carried away in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, July 30, 2009.

Carlos H. Reyes, a popular leader and independent presidential candidate, complained about injuries sustained in the clash in his ear and a fracture on one of his arms.

"We are protesting peacefully and suddenly they come to hit us and throw tear gas on us," said Rafael Alegria, a representative of deposed President Zelaya.

The police said in a statement on Wednesday that it would not tolerate any highway blocking and occupation of public buildings.

Since the coup on June 28, Zelaya's followers have been staging protests in demand of Zelaya's restitution.

The interim government imposed a curfew from 1:00 a.m. (0700 GMT) to 4:30 a.m. (1030 GMT) in most parts of the country, while on its border with Nicaragua, the curfew goes from 6:00 p.m. (0000 GMT) to 6:00 a.m (1200 GMT).

Several followers of ousted President Manuel Zelaya are arrested by police in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, July 30, 2009.
(Xinhua)