Скачать или смотреть 4:3 People angered by presence of vigilantes set fire to vehicles at road block

(11 Jan 2014) Cars and lorries were set ablaze on Friday by residents in a town in western Mexico to protest the arrival of more than 100 vigilantes.
The burning vehicles blocked roads leading into Paracuaro in Michoacan state before federal police and soldiers removed them.
The "self-defence" group arrived last Saturday in pickup trucks and SUVs and set up a checkpoint at the entrance to Paracuaro, a town of artisans and lime farmers.
According to state authorities, the group disarmed some police officers out of suspicion they were working with drug traffickers.
An unidentified man was killed in a gun battle after the vigilantes seized the town.
Townspeople said they oppose the vigilantes because they are forcing young men to join them.
"Today our blockade is at Paracuaro's entrance because the federal and state governments haven't responded accordingly and immediately to our demands of removing the armed people (vigilantes) from the municipal capital," said Paracuaro resident Rafael Santana.
This is the seventh day of the blockade, and it seems they just don't care," he added.
Vigilante groups have formed in recent months to confront drug cartels in parts of Michoacan, a rich farming state that is a major exporter of limes, avocados and mangos.
Rumours have circulated that some of the groups have been infiltrated by the New Generation drug cartel, charges that the groups vehemently deny.
New Generation has been fighting a turf war with the Michoacan-based Knights Templar cartel.
Some people in the region say members of the Knights Templar have also tried to use self-defence groups as cover for illegal activities.

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