MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile: A night of violence and destruction.

More than 200 people arrested, 24 policemen injured, blackout in 150,000 homes plus massive destruction was the balance of a night of rioting in downtown Santiago de Chile during the evening of September 11, after the end of the official September 11 thirtieth commemoration ceremonies

Last September 11 Chile recalled the violent ousting from office in 1973 of elected Socialist president Salvador Allende, an event that still bitterly divides Chilean public opinion among supporters of the deposed neo-Marxist head of state who under air and land attacks ended shooting himself in Government House, and those who applaud the military regime of General Augusto Pinochet that "saved Chile from communism" and built the foundations of a new, prosperous country.

During daylight hours all ceremonies: the official ones headed by President Ricardo Lagos, and those from both sides organized by pro-Allende and pro-Pinochet supporters went on peacefully and undisturbed. However after sundown protests, provocations and violent picketing ended in rioting with over 200 arrests and 24 policemen injured, including a police woman officer and two with bullet wounds.

In some of Santiago's main crossings protestors set up barricades and bonfires isolating the centre of the capital while vandals tore down electricity lines with chains leaving at least 150,000 homes with no energy.

Opposition Congressmen demanded a "strong hand" against the vandals that were compared to football hooligans inbred in a subculture of violence.

However Metropolitan Santiago Region mayor Marcelo Trivelli said he was satisfied with the development of all ceremonies "since they all went on peacefully with no disorderly conduct at any moment", but he did admit that "the night incidents can only be attributed to the delinquency prevalent in certain circles of our community".

Santiago city elected mayor Joaquín Lavín anticipated that "the government of Santiago has no responsibility in the destruction of private and public property, since all security was under Metropolitan Santiago Region command. It's them who will have to respond to the victims".

Santiago's security during September 11 daytime ceremonies was reinforced with 10,000 Carabineros.

Deputy Minister of Interior Jorge Correa Sutil praised Chilean police forces for their "prudent" management of the situation and anticipated that once Carabineros deliver the official report of the incidents legal actions will begin against those involved.

"Last year we had four of our men with bullet injuries, this year we had two. We believe these acts of vandalism are unrelated to politics but rather it's people who take advantage of national holidays or sports events to practice violence", said Mr. Correa Sutil