NGOs Accuse Brazilian Government of Overreacting

RIO DE JANIERO - A coalition of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) has declared that the Brazilian government has overreacted to the recent skirmishes in the favelas of Monkey Hill just north of Rio de Janiero. According to the publication Agencia Estado, the groups Global Justice, Torture Never Again and the State Union of Educational Professionals plan to release a manifesto declaring that the retaliation by government police and federal forces is tantamount to “vengeful” actions “relation” and deliberately “manipulates” information released to the public.

Since the initial confrontation on October 17, more than 47 people have died in the clashes – including 2 police officers. The latest victims included Severino Marcelino dos Santos, 49, hit by bullet in the face last Friday, during the police operation in Vila Cruzeiro, na Penha (zona norte), and Ana Cristina Costa do Nascimento, 24 , shot yesterday at Kelson's shantytown.

Rival drug gangs in a hunt to garner more territory forced the downing of a police helicopter shortly after Rio received the nod to host the 2016 Olympic Games.

The government response has closed schools and inhibited normalcy for residents of the outlaying slums according to the manifesto.