Ruy D’Alencar, special envoy from El Deber reports: TIPNIS protest-walk group can not get water! it is not because it is far away… water can be found in Chaparina stream, twenty meters away from where they were stopped by the police! Yes, 20 meters!! and they can’t have it!

The group is on the road for its 38th day. The indigenous people are surrounded in Yucumo, they cannot continue their walk to La Paz.

There are like fifty settlers who for the last 18 days have been blocking the San Lorenzo bridge and since yesterday the Chaparina viaduct with the only purpose to stop the marching group. A police force of around 400 guards, is also there, according to the government, to avoid confrontation.

This site, is 250 kilometers away from the capital of Beni, Trinidad; group remains stopped since this Tuesday and is tightening the whole nation. Now, around a thousand indigenous people are camping in Chaparina, under a bright, hot sun, with temperature over 35º Celsius; and no access to water from the Chaparina stream and no access to the commerce, and stores in Yucumo.

The site is being guarded by a circle of policemen. Despite the vicinity of the stream, the police force has instructions to not let advance the TIPNIS group, not even a millimeter, even if it is to grab some water for breast-fed children’s hygiene that are part of the walking group.

It was made evident yesterday, assures El Deber’s journalist, when a group of women tried to cross the police, after a lengthy and futile dialogue, they couldn’t go through.

External help, has also been blocked, since the settlers have intensified the control and deny the free transit of people and vehicles that may intend to carry food for the indigenous group. Although, they say that those vehicles and food that was seized will be released once the conflict ends.

In the camp, there are over 30 children less than one years old and at least five pregnant women, that suffer lack of proper food. “They are 20 steps away from water and cannot drink it,” concludes D’Alencar.

http://www.eldeber.com.bo/2011/2011-09-22/vernotaahora.php?id=110922163655

La Razon (9/23/11) illustrates this blockade in the following picture:

It is expected that today, minister David Choquehunca will intend to meet with the indigenous people in Limoncito community.

http://www.la-razon.com/version.php?ArticleId=137995&EditionId=2662