Mexican government, protest groups reject violence

Mexico City, Nov 10 (IANS/EFE) The Mexican government and groups protesting the disappearance and apparent murder of 43 students have called for calm after government buildings were torched by demonstrators as a new march demanded that the state take responsibility in the case.

"Violence only gives rise to more violence. Most of the citizens want peace and that is why we demand that the state takes political responsibility," said Jose Alcaraz, president of the State Council of Organisations which organised the "43x43. Not A Single More Missing Person" march Sunday.

A week after the march started in the southern town of Iguala from where the students disappeared, activists and Mexican civil society representatives reached the capital's Zocalo Square Sunday, where they held a rally for the students who went missing Sep 26 after clashes with police.

They also condemned the violent incidents that occurred in the same place Saturday when a group of radical protestors attacked and set fire to the National Palace's door after a peaceful demonstration. Eighteen people were arrested.

Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto also denounced the acts of violence Sunday, calling it unacceptable for anyone to try and use this tragedy to justify violence, media reported.

"The Mexicans say no to violence. This is not an expression of the government, this is the genuine sentiment of the Mexican society that says no to violence, we say yes to justice, order, harmony, peace. We say yes to the implementation of justice for these heinous and despicable events," the president added.

Meanwhile, the protestors of the "43x43. Not A Single More Missing Person" movement strongly criticised the government and demanded the resignation of Attorney General Jesus Murillo.

After marching for nearly 200 km to the capital, Alcaraz said the people "are afraid because they don't know where is the line between public power and crime".

He added that this was the moment to act as the case of the missing students was the last straw.

Among other actions, the movement urged Mexican society "to construct a civil electoral roll" to know how many missing persons there are and "demand that the government answer for each of them", he explained.

According to Alcaraz, the movement, which is formed by various social organizations of the country, rejected violence as a way to change the country.

--IANS/EFE

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