At least 25 people have died and 192 have been detained or arrested since the violence broke out Sunday as a response by drug gangs to an increased police presence in the crime-ridden slums, police said. Criminals have burned more than 96 vehicles.
Three police officers have been injured, according state military police.
About 800 soldiers have been dispatched to the city to protect the perimeter of the areas occupied by police, the state-run Agencia Brasil reported. The military will control all entry points into some slums, the news agency said, citing Roberto Sa, a state security official.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva reiterated his support Thursday for state and local officials' efforts, saying he had spoken with the governor of Rio de Janeiro state, Sergio Cabral. The city and the state have the same name.
"I told Sergio Cabral that whatever help he needs from the federal government so people will live in peace in this country, we will give him," Lula said. "Rio de Janeiro can rest assured that we will support the governor and the residents of the state."
Kind of an ugly situation down there. Hopefully nobody else will get hurt, but I doubt that will be the case.
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