LUANDA, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Protests against the removal of fuel subsidies Monday in the city of Huambo in Angola's central province of Huambo escalated into a deadly conflict between taxi drivers and the police, resulting in five deaths and eight injuries, according to a police statement released Tuesday.

The protests launched by the drivers began Monday morning and turned into "public disorder" after they placed barricades, assaulted passengers, broke windows and carried out other acts of vandalism, "which prompted the intervention of the police forces to safeguard the physical integrity of people and their property," said the statement by the Provincial Command of the National Police in Huambo.

The provincial police said that it was "impossible to prevent" the deaths and injuries due to acts of violence and defiance against the police.

A total of 34 individuals were arrested and 29 motorcycles were seized for direct involvement in the acts of public disorder, the statement said.

The Huambo National Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing security in communities, ensuring the rule of law and protecting the rights and freedom of citizens. It urged the public to remain calm and avoid involvement in acts that promote violence and public disorder, according to the statement.

An anonymous source told Xinhua that the drivers were protesting against the increase in gasoline prices caused by the cancellation of fuel subsidies and the delay in delivering fuel subsidy cards to them as was promised by the government.

"The price of gasoline keeps increasing, but the salary doesn't," he said, expressing concern that the continuous increase in gasoline prices will raise the cost of living.

Angola announced the gradual removal of fuel subsidies last week, and gasoline prices have since increased from 27 U.S. cents to 51 cents per liter. Enditem

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