Brazil Military Police End Strike Amid Crime Wave

Military police in the state of Bahia, in northeast Brazil, decided to end their labor strike Thursday afternoon after two days of stoppages accompanied by a spike in murders, violence crime and theft, local media reported.



The move came after leaders of the striking police forces met in Salvador, Bahia state capital and World Cup host city, following a meeting with the city's archbishop and other key city figures.



Local media reported that officials put an adjusted counter-offer on the table, which offered better conditions and led to strike leaders agreeing to call off the industrial action.



It is not yet clear whether striking police officers will be punished or fined for their strike, deemed "unconstitutional" by a Bahia court.



The strike made headlines after Salvador and other cities witnessed a sharp increase in murders during the 42 hours of the strike, which saw federal troops poured into the area for reinforcement.



The local police homicide unit press department calculated that 39 murders had been recorded in Salvador and the surrounding metropolitan area during the strike.



Businesses have been in lockdown in many areas after some shops and supermarkets were looted. Local buses also ran at a reduced service due to drivers' concerns of being attacked.



Crime in general jumped threefold during the strike, police say.



Salvador is known for its violence, and was recently given the unenviable title of 13th most murderous city on the planet. Despite this, it is popular with tourists and will host six World Cup matches during the tournament which begins in under two months.



englishnews@aa.com.tr - Washington DC