Resignations Sought After Massacre

The head of Mexico’s human rights agency is calling for the resignation of more officials in connection with the massacre of 45 Indians in southern Mexico.

Mireille Roccatti, director of the National Human Rights Commission, asked the new governor of Chiapas state, Roberto Albores Guillen, to request that 12 officials from his predecessor’s administration step down.

Julio Cesar Ruiz Ferro resigned as the state’s governor on Wednesday. He and federal Interior Secretary Emilio Chuayffet, who resigned last week, had been accused of ignoring brewing violence between pro-government and pro-rebel factions in the region.

The Dec. 22 massacre in the village of Acteal has jolted Mexico’s government: Survivors blame gunmen aligned with the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party of President Ernesto Zedillo. Top government officials deny any involvement and have promised a thorough investigation.

More than 40 men have been arrested, including the local mayor and a local village leader. Most are members of the ruling party.

The following fields overflowed: DATELINE = SAN CRISTOBAL DE LAS CASAS, MEXICO