Protest over bus fare hikes turns violent in Brazil’s Sao Paolo

On Friday, thousands of people, mostly university students, took part in the protest rally on the streets of downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city.
 
The protesters were angry at the government decision to raise the fares of public transport from 3.50 reais ($0.87) to 3.80 reais ($0.94), a plan which will take effect later on Saturday.
 
However, the peaceful demonstration turned violent when police fired a noxious gas and used water cannon to disperse the angry protesters.
 
The protesters threw stones and set fire to the makeshift barricades made of trash and wood.
 
Sao Paulo military police said on Twitter that the protesters also attacked a bus and vandalized newsstands and a bank.
 
Authorities said three police officers were wounded in the clashes and 17 protesters were detained.
 
In 2013, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced a USD 2.4-billion plan to improve public transport in Sao Paolo.
 
However, residents have since staged anti-government rallies, demanding more public spending on schools, public health and transportation.
 
A similar protest rally was held in the city of Rio de Janiro, where the fresh rise in bus fares is slightly steeper.
 
In recession since the second quarter of last year, Brazil is suffering from rising unemployment and a drop in investor confidence.
 
The situation has been exacerbated by a deteriorating political crisis involving Rousseff, who has been accused of a scandal related to the state oil firm Petrobras.
 
The government says the allegations are a ploy by opponents to oust President Rousseff. 
 
Brasilia announced on Friday that annual inflation in the country reached 10.67 percent in 2015, the highest figure since 2002 and more than double the government’s 4.5-percent target.