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By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
A total of 11 villagers in Michoacan state have been kidnapped, according to Mexican news accounts.
A news release published in Quandratin.com by the group called Radio Fogata Cheran or Cheran Radio Bonfire said the victims were all from the villages of Ceresito, El Rancho Seco and El Rancho Moleros. Demands in the news release include blocking all access by road to Cheran and a press conference to detail abuses committed against them. It is unclear who has taken the kidnapping victims.
Cheran is a municipality in northern Michoacan located about 100 kilometers southeast of Guadalajara, Jalisco, inhabited by indigenous Indians.
Included in the number kidnapped are two teachers and four women. The action takes place as villagers in Cheran have attempted to place roadblocks in their area to stop criminal groups they say are engaged in "illegal logging".
The group has come under criticism for allegedly hijacking heavy vehicles such as fuel tanker trucks and "milking" them for fuel. Accusations against the group also includes hijacking buses to avoid paying bus fare to the state capital, Morelia, to attend protests. The group has also installed "toll booths" within their municipality demanding payment from motorists.
The conflict between Cheran and presumably commercial logging interests began two years ago. Other actions taken by the indigenous community included refusal to participate in the elections last November in Michoacan state.
| How clever of them to ensure nobody has a stake in resolving the situation in their favour. |