RIO DE JANEIRO:  The ongoing unrest in Salvador triggered by a police strike that already lasted nine days is now threatening the Brazilian resort's world-renowned Carnival festivities.

Salvador, located in the northeastern state of Bahia, is long known for its tropical allure, beautiful beaches and historic sites.

Along with Rio, the city hosts the annual Carnival festivities, which start next week and last several days, during which a total of 500,000 tourists are expected to come.

For the past nine days after the city's policemen went on strike for better pay and working conditions, Salvador has been plagued by a crime wave that has left 123 murders so far, local media reported.

Federal troops were called in to beef up security, but an atmosphere of fear and tension reigns in the city.

Yesterday the troops clashed with the policemen at the state assembly building where the protesters have been camping out since last week. The incident left six people injured.

Besides the murders, robberies have also been reported, and shops had to close due to insecurity.

Courts are working in a partial capacity, dealing only with urgent cases. The public school teachers' union recommended the beginning of the school year to be postponed. Several private schools have also postponed the beginning of classes, local media reported.

The chaos in Salvador is also damaging the tourism and entertainment industry, which plays an important role in the city's economy. Shop owners are complaining about losses, and at least 17 concerts, plays and early Carnival events scheduled for this week have been cancelled.

The Bahia branch of the Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies (ABAV) estimated that ten percent of tourism packages reserved for this month have been cancelled.

Due to the escalation of the tension in the city, the local US and French consulates recommended their citizens not to make unnecessary trips to Bahia until the situation is safer.

Negotiations between the strike leaders and the state government, which were being mediated by the local Catholic bishop, were suspended yesterday without any agreements.

Bahia State Governor Jaques Wagner said he already reached his limit in the negotiations and that fiscal responsibility laws prevent him from granting a higher rise of salaries to the police officers.

Wagner urged the policemen to accept the government's proposal of a 6.5 percent rise. He also assured that the Carnival festivities in Salvador to take place as usual and that officers from other towns will reinforce the security in the city next week.


- Bernama