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Al-Ahram Weekly 9 - 15 March 2000 Issue No. 472 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 9 - 15 March 2000 Issue No. 472
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Focus Books Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Mit Nei'ma's wrath
VILLAGERS at Mit Nei'ma in the Qalyubiya governorate, north of Cairo, rioted on Sunday, setting fire to a police van, a fire engine and a paper factory in protest of the death of Samah Abdullah, a 15-year-old student. Rioters also rolled a boulder onto the railway tracks, blocking train traffic for about an hour, police said.
Photo: Abdel-Wahab El-SeheitiThe disturbance began after a truck hit and killed Abdullah while she was crossing the street. Villagers seized the truck driver, beat him severely and set fire to his vehicle. Riot police responded by firing tear gas cannisters, and six policemen and 34 villagers were admitted to hospital with injuries. Most of the villagers suffered from tear gas inhalation.
Protesters demanded a crackdown on motorists who routinely ignore traffic rules along the highway that runs between Cairo and the coastal city of Alexandria. Villagers say dozens of people have been killed or injured along that part of the road as a result of speeding and reckless driving.
Police arrested 79 rioters, who were charged with resisting security officials, illegal assembly and damaging public property; they were remanded in custody for 15 days. The truck driver was also taken into custody for 15 days pending a trial. The girl's family will receive LE5,000 in initial compensation.
Prime Minister Atef Ebeid has ordered a pedestrian bridge to be built over the Cairo-Alexandria highway.
