Demonstrators took to the streets Friday to express their anger at a possible decree banning peddlers and demonstrators from streets and the ensuing clashes outside the congress building left 30 injured, including three policemen.

The protest erupted when legislators started to debate on the modification of a decree that could ban the presence of peddlers, prostitutes and demonstrators on streets.

The demonstrators, mostly roadside peddlers, hurled rocks and bombs at the legislative building. Several demonstrators, wearing red flags, covered their faces with ski-masks during the attacks.

The legislators in the building locked up the doors and tried to disperse the protesters with high-pressure water cannon.

At around 3:30 p.m. local time, the riot-control forces of the federal police rushed to the scene to quell the violence.

Their efforts however were frustrated by the agitated protesters, who used rocks and shards of glass to fight the police.

With President Nestor Kirchner away in Patagonia, the capital city seems to have temporarily lost control.

Local radio stations constantly broadcast the calls of citizensfor protection from the beginning of the violence, while Mayor Anibal Ibarra and his deputy, Jorge Telerman, refused to make any comments on the lack of effective police operations.

Several days before, a group of demonstrators stormed a police station and destroyed its equipment and documents. The chief of the station was later fired by Justice Minister Gustavo Beliz.

As tensions still run high, it is hard to predict the possible outcome.

Source: Xinhua