Peru's leaders move to end uprising after city is seized

THE Peruvian government declared a state of emergency yesterday and moved to contain an uprising after an ultra-nationalist group seized a small city and killed four policemen.

One hundred and sixty members of the political party known as the Etnocaceristas seized the city of Andahuaylas 270 miles south-east of Lima and stormed the police station. The group, led by retired army Major Antauro Humala, is demanding the resignation of president Alejandro Toledo, and is holding 11 policemen hostage.

"We are ready to lay down our weapons and turn ourselves in when president Toledo resigns," said a statement from Major Humala. "For us there is a criminal in the government palace."

Major Humala claimed in declarations to the local media that his uprising had the support of the population of Andahuaylas, and more volunteers were arriving all the time. However, sources in the city said people there were staying in their homes.