By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
LIMA, Peru – Clashes between the Peruvian Army and the militant remnants of the Senedero Luminoso (also known as the “Shining Path”) left a child dead in the street from gunfire.
Counter-Insurgency troops in VRAEM. (Photo Courtesy of La Republica)
A clash in Valley of the Rio Ene, Apurimac and Mantarao (VRAEM), by counter-insurgency forces and rebels left an 8 year old dead in the province of Junín, Peru. On the morning of September 8th, Army and police personnel descended into the small town of Ranrapata, Peru. Dubbed ‘Operation Mantara’ it’s stated premise was to “dismantle a terrorist camp and not to attack civilians.”
While officially a success, the operation was meant to “identify and destroy a feeding center,” which had been sheltering “supplies and members of Sendero Luminoso.” These centers were reportedly used to indoctrinate children and plan armed attacks in the VRAEM and surrounding areas. Specifically the police were attempting to capture the alleged narco-terrorist known as “Pucañahui” who commanded around 20 rebels.
Details of the operation are hazy. Authorities in Lima initially said the operation resulted in the rescue of three children who were being held by the insurgents and the arrest of two women. One of the women arrested may have been Aquila Paucarcaja Vega, who was either the mother or stepmother of the dead child. The child, Zoraida Case, was hit by a bullet in the back after crossfire between agents against the guerrillas. No one is sure what happened to Zorida Case after she was shot. Some witnesses say they saw her body being dumped in the ravine, while others say she was dragged out of the streets and dropped in the bushes.
The Minister of the Interior Wilfried Pedraza told Congress “The government deeply regrets (the death of the child), whose situation and circumstances are under investigation, but in any case is the Shining Path, the terrorist group, which should respond.” The family of the victim believe law enforcement officials were the ones firing the projectile.
The rebels have reportedly joined forces with drug cartels and producers of illegal coca for the manufacturing of cocaine. They use snipers to attack military bases in the VRAEM and ambush patrols. The guerrilla force has been largely dormant since the turn of the century but has escalated its efforts in recent years. A “truth commission” in 2000, appointed by then-President Alejandro Toledo, blamed the Shining Path for most of nearly 70,000 deaths in the politically motivated violence during the 1980-2000 period.
For further information, please see:
The Correo – Girl Is Depressed In The Evening VRAEM No Government Presence – 16 September 2012
The Primera – Zoraida Remains Buried Amid Cries For Justice – 16 September 2012
Fox News Latino – Peru President Vows Probe Of Child’s Death In Army Operation – 14 September 2012
RPP Noticias – Sendero Luminoso Must Answer For Death Of Girl In Vraem – 13 September 2012
The Epoch Times – Peru Confronts Its Violent Past – 3 September 2012
