Acapulco: Armed men break into school, torture and shave heads of 20 students

Translated by El Profe for Borderland Beat from Proceso
                 

Photo: Quadratín

by Ezequiel Flores Contreras

CHILPANCINGO, Gro. - An armed group broke into two school buildings in the outlying area of Acapulco, where they subdued the teachers and students; 20 of the latter were tortured and their hair was cut off in front of dozens of witnesses.

The first incident occurred this morning around 8:15, in the telesecundaria of the Frontera neighborhood in Acapulco. At least four young people carried weapons, "sticks and hooks,” threatened the teaching staff and subjected the students to being stripped of money and mobile phones, according to official reports.

Then, they selected 20 students who allegedly "sell drugs" on campus and, in front of the student community, tortured them and cut their hair as a form of harassment.

At the same time, another armed group entered secondary school number 9 in the Renacimiento neighborhood, although no incidents similar to those of the other campus were reported.

The government of Hector Astudillo only issued a statement in which he described the event as "a reprehensible and despicable act" and pledged to strengthen security in that perimeter of the city, away from the tourist area, where surveillance plans are supposedly focused.

These events occurred in the context of protests by teachers and parents who demand safety in schools, with no response from the Secretary of Education in the entity, José Luis González de la Vega Otero.