28 Dec 2013

Amazon reserve attacked

9:45 pm on 28 December 2013

An indigenous reserve in Brazil's Amazon region has been attacked in the latest outbreak of violence in the region.

Farmers and loggers set fire to houses in the reserve located in the town of Manicore, in Amazonas state.

Earlier, members of another tribe, the Tenharim, sought refuge in a nearby military base.

Townspeople in the region say members of the indigenous group abducted three contractors more than a week ago.

The three men were last seen near the reserve, in the town of Humaita, and local groups want police to carry out a full search of indigenous lands.

Tensions between non-indigenous residents of the two towns in Amazonas state and indigenous people have been running high since a Tenharim leader was found murdered.

Some residents believe the Tenharim may be holding the three missing men in retaliation for the killing of their leader.

Clashes between indigenous groups and non-indigenous locals are not uncommon in Brazil, as they are often in conflict over land, logging and mining rights.