Party supporters clash in Chiapas
Three die, dozens injured in fighting
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Overturned cars burn following the fighting Wednesday in Zinacantan.
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ZINACANTAN, Mexico (AP) -- A clash Wednesday between supporters of Mexico's two main opposition political parties in southern Chiapas state left three dead and dozens injured.
Gathered in front of the city hall, the two groups -- supporters of the Institutional Revolutionary Party and the Democratic Revolution Party -- began throwing rocks at each other and shooting off guns. Several nearby cars and vendors' stalls were burned.
A 26-year-old man, a supporter of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, was fatally shot during the conflict in Zinacantan, 6 miles (10 km) west of San Cristobal de las Casas. Two more died of their wounds later.
Fearing more violence, emergency officials refused to enter the town. Several wounded were forced to nurse their own injuries until help arrived. Several people were being treated at local hospitals for gunshot wounds and blows from rocks.
"We know there are people dead, but we don't know how many," said city councilman Mariano Vazquez, a member of the Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI.
He added that the PRI supporters came to the town's center for a meeting, and that the others arrived and started the clash.
Democratic Revolution sympathizers withdrew to city offices, and were not available for comment.
Dozens of state and federal police were stationed at the entrance to the town. Chiapas Gov. Pablo Salazar flew to the city in a helicopter and was holding talks with both sides in the conflict.
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