Three police officers injured in violent protest held by seasonal workers in the Sixth Region

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RANCAGUA. -  Three police officers were injured last night after being stoned by temporary workers contracted by the company, Verfrut.  The workers had been violently protesting for better work conditions. 

One of the officers has been released from the hospital, while the other two (Hector Benavides Contreras and Rodrigo Aguayo Cid) are currently being attended to at the Police Hospital in Santiago.  One of the officers is listed in serious condition.

The violent incident carried on past midnight and resulted in the arrests of 38 protesters.  The export company has decided to halt operations today as a safety measure for workers.  

The seasonal workers barricaded route H-66G, better known as the Fruit Highway, using tires and tree branches to stop traffic.  Police arrived to stop the barricade but were attacked by demonstrators.

Later, an angry mob of more than one-hundred people (some of whom were wearing hoods) broke open the door at the company’s main entrance. Once inside, the group destroyed the employee cafeteria, bathrooms, and offices.  The protesters also stole three computers and set fire to a truck.