Illegal gold miners attack indigenous village in Brazil

(CNN) – The indigenous Yanomami village in Brazil has been the target of another attack by illegal gold miners, the Yanomami Hutukara Association said on Monday.

They denounced that the incident that took place on Sunday night in a town of Palimiu, in Yanomami lands in the Brazilian state of Roraima, the association said that some 15 boats with miners fired and launched tear gas at the village.

“There was a lot of smoke and the Yanomami’s eyes were irritated, indicating that they fired a tear gas bomb at the indigenous people. The Yanomami were very distressed and shouted in concern over the phone. In the background, it was possible to hear the sound of the shots. The situation was serious “, says the note released by the association.

The same community had been the target of another attack by gold miners on May 10. A day later, a Federal Police team that went to the scene to investigate the conflict also exchanged gunfire with gold miners.

The Hutukara association said that it informed the Brazilian indigenous agency Funai, the Federal Police, the Army and the Federal Prosecutor’s Office about the conflict and requested the installation of an emergency checkpoint in the Palimiu community, to guarantee security in the place.

Junior Hekurari, president of the District Council for Indigenous Health (Condisi), told CNN that indigenous people fear further attacks. “Until now, the federal and state governments have not sent security forces, they are keeping silent,” he said.