The Peruvian President Ollanta Humala declared a state of emergency late following massive rallies against a multi-billion dollar mining project in the north of the country. President Humala said the emergency will take effect at midnight and continue for 60 days.
Under the emergency measures, civil liberties will be restricted and arrests without warrants will be allowed in four provinces of Cajamarca region.
Out of fear for their water supply, local peasants have staged violent protests against a Conga mining project worth 4.8 billion dollars operated by U.S.-based mining giant Newmont.
