Peru Declares State of Emergency

Peru's government suspended civil rights Monday in remote jungle regions where Indian groups are blocking highways and oil and gas installations to protest a law that makes it easier to sell their lands. The 30-day decree published in the official gazette suspends rights to public gatherings and free transit in three northern provinces.

It follows nine days of protests by members of 65 Indian tribes and a clash Saturday in northern Peru between police and hundreds of spear-carrying Indians with painted faces. The Lima daily newspaper El Comercio reported eight officers and four protesters were injured, but police declined to give details.

Environment Minister Antonio Brack said protesters have closed a bridge and highway ``and threatened to cut the supply of oil via the oil pipeline and gas through the Camisea gas pipeline.''

''The government of Peru cannot permit it,'' Brack said.

The protests began when Indians peacefully blocked an important natural gas installation and oil pipeline in northern Peru. The Camisea natural gas installation is operated by a consortium led by Pluspetrol Peru Corporation SA and including Hunt Oil Company of Peru L.L.C. The northeastern oil pipeline is run by Peru's state oil company.

Talks broke off on Friday when the protesters refused to negotiate with Brack, demanding to meet with Cabinet chief Jorge Del Castillo.

The Indians are protesting a law that would let half of those attending a community assembly approve the sale of communal lands. Previously two-thirds of the local community, whether they attended a meeting or not, had to approve any sale.

Protesters also oppose laws passed to implement a free-trade pact with the United States.

Meanwhile, officials in neighboring Chile filed a legal action on Monday calling for an investigation and possible criminal charges over an apparent raid by Indian protesters on a cattle ranch.

About 50 masked invaders burned a house, vehicles and a warehouse at a ranch on land in southern Chile claimed by radical members of the Mapuche Indians.