Mexico City police chief quits amid new 'massacre' protests

Yahoo – AFP, Yuri Cortez, 6 Dec 2014

Peasants from El Barzon movement protest in front of the Interior Ministry in

 Mexico City on December 5, 2014 demanding the truth about the disappearance

of 43 students in Ayotzinapa in September (Photo by Yuri Cortez)

Mexico City's police chief has resigned after sharp criticism of his officers' handling of recent protests over the apparent massacre of 43 students, the mayor said Friday.

It came amid fresh demonstrations in the Mexican capital over the case of the missing students, who were attacked by police in the city of Iguala, in the country's southwest, and then allegedly handed over to hitmen from the Guerreros Unidos drug gang on September 26.

Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said police chief Jesus Rodriguez Almeida, whose official title was public security secretary, had stepped down with immediate effect.

Rodriguez Almeida, a 43-year-old former prosecutor, had been in the post since Mancera took office two years ago. Mancera did not give a reason for his departure.

Mexico City has been the scene of massive, sometimes violent protests in recent weeks over the fate of the male students. Most of the protesters arrested have been freed due to lack of evidence, stirring accusations of abusive police practices.

Rights groups have also accused the police of indiscriminate violence against activists, journalists and bystanders.

In the latest protests, hundreds of farmers from the El Barzon movement paraded in their tractors, many carrying photos of the missing trainee teachers, along with the word "Justice!"

They were also demanding a better deal for farmers, including lower prices for fuel.