Mexico Mass Grave Found After Protests

A mass grave has been found on the outskirts the Mexican town of
Iguala, where 43 students went missing on 27 September, officials say.

It is not clear whether the bodies found in a pit are those of the
missing students, who were last seen being forced into police vans.

The group had travelled to the area, in the state of Guerrero, to take
part in a protest over teachers' rights.

Police opened fire on their buses, killing six people.

Twenty-two police officers are being held in connection with the shooting.

Witnesses said the most of the survivors - all trainee teachers - were
bundled into police vans before disappearing.

Some had gone into hiding and contacted their relatives after several
days, still fearing for their lives.

It was thought initially that 44 students, not 43, had gone missing.
They had been taking part in a protest over job discrimination against
rural teachers.

Iguala lies about 120 miles (200km) south of the capital Mexico City.
The grave was discovered on Saturday, following an anonymous tip,
local media reported.

It is not known exactly how many bodies it contains. Guerrero state
prosecutor Inaky Blanco said forensic experts were trying to identify
the victims.

Some of the relatives of the missing students had joined the search,
knocking on doors and handing out pictures of their loved ones.

State prosecutors said local officials and police officers could have
links with criminal gangs operating in Guerrero state.

Arrest warrants have been issued for the mayor of Iguala, Jose Luis
Albarca and his security chief who are both considered fugitives from
justice and may be involved in the violence.

Mexico correspondent Will Grant says the incident has highlighted the
extent of the collusion between criminal groups and officials in much
of the country.

(Photo: Mexican troops have been guarding the location where the
clandestine grave was found)