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Brazilian gov't to send troops to help maintain order in Rio state

Xinhua, February 14, 2017 Adjust font size:

Brazilian President Michel Temer decided on Monday to send troops to Rio de Janeiro state to help reinforce public security.

The deployment was at the request of Luiz Fernando Pezao, governor of Rio state, where wives and relatives of police officers have blocked police stations in a protest over unpaid wages.

So far, most police officers were working as normal in the state.

No information has been given yet about how many soldiers will be sent to the southeastern state or how long they will stay.

Rio is one of several Brazilian states hit by a budget crisis that is crippling essential public services for millions of citizens.

In Espirito Santo state, the police strike has left a week-long security vacuum, giving rise to rampant crimes across the state. More than 138 homicides have been registered in the capital Vitoria and its surrounding areas last week.

The Espirito Santo state government said it reached a deal on Friday with the protesters.

Since Saturday, some officers have returned to work, but certain police precincts continue to be encircled by family members of officers.

Over 3,000 soldiers were deployed to maintain order in Espirito Santo and will remain on the streets until the situation returns to normal. Endi