Brazil Indians in dam protest release 7 hostages

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BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) – Brazilian authorities say Kaiabi Indians have released seven people they had been holding hostage to oppose construction of a dam.

The Justice Ministry says five employees of the government's Indian affairs agency and two workers for an electric company were released Sunday in good condition. They had been held for five days in the Amazon community of Kururuzinho.

The Kaiabi oppose the construction of a dam and demand speedier official recognition of their land in Mato Grosso state.

The ministry said in a statement Monday that demarcation of the land will start soon. A Kaiabi delegation will fly to the capital within a week for further negotiations.

The 1,200-member Kaiabi tribe says the dam will harm its fishing and sacred sites.