Farmers block roads & railways as they launch indefinite strike

Farmers launched an indefinite nationwide strike on 15 January 2009, staging protests and blocking roads and railways. The strike was organized by several farmers’ organizations -- including the Board of Irrigation Users, the Agricultural Convention (Conveagro) and the National Agrarian Confederation (CAN) -- to protest the privatization of a government agency in charge of water for irrigation. The railroad connecting Cusco to the Machu Picchu ruins was reportedly blocked. Protesters also blocked roads in Ignacio Escudero in the northern Piura region and the Panamericana Sur road in southern Ica; both roadblocks were later cleared without incident. Confrontations occurred in the northwestern province of Sullana between security forces and protesters who were blocking roads. At least one protester sustained injuries.