Amazonian Indians Violently Protest Brazil's Planned Xingu River Dam

Brasilia, Brazil (AHN) - A group of Amazonian Indians, donning feathers and face paint, attacked a representative from Brazil's National Electric Company after he made a presentation explaining the effects a proposed hydroelectric dam would have on traditional communities living in the remote region near the Xingu River.

The Associated Press reported that Eletrobras engineer Paulo Fernando Rezende sustained a large gash on his shoulder, but insisted he was okay, after the angry group of Kayapo Indians surrounded him wielding machetes and clubs.

One Indian told the AP that Rezende is lucky to be alive, adding that now officials should know they should not build the dam, called the Belo Monte.

The Brazilian government said the proposed $6.7-billion hydroelectric dam would help meet the growing energy needs of Brazil with an estimated 11,000 megawatts of power.

However the damn, if built, is expected to displace 15,000 indigenous Amazonian Indians who regularly fish the river, depending on it as a vital source of food.

The Kayapo Indians vowed to go to war if Brazilian officials give the go ahead to the proposed dam.

If built, the Belo Monte will be the third largest hydroelectric dam in the world.