Police use water cannons to disperse student protesters in Chile

Chilean Police Use Water Cannons Against Student Protesters

Hundreds of students in Chile took to the streets to protest against the government’s plans to limit access to free higher education. The proposal, which includes cutting a government scholarship program and increasing student loans, is part of a broader effort to implement austerity measures.

As a result, the country’s military police force responded with force, using water cannons to disperse the protesters. The incident occurred in an area where students had gathered to express their opposition to the proposed changes.

According to eyewitnesses, the police used water cannons to try and break up the crowd, resulting in several injuries among the protesters. The exact number of injured individuals is not yet known.

The government’s proposal has been met with widespread criticism from student groups and other organizations, who argue that it would disproportionately affect low-income students and limit their access to higher education. The protests are ongoing, with many students continuing to demonstrate against the plan.

The military police force has issued a statement confirming that they used water cannons during the incident, but providing no further details on the circumstances surrounding the event. The government has also released a statement saying that it is committed to finding solutions to address the concerns of student protesters.

The situation remains tense in Chile, with many students continuing to protest against the proposed changes.

Source: Al Jazeera