E/CN.4/2004/80/Add.2 page 10 B. Political disputes and tensions 25. Other conflicts in the indigenous regions have eminently political causes, being closely related to the exercise of local power and in a number of cases directly linked to access to and the handling of public resources. They take the form of disputes over control of municipal governments, development programmes, technical assistance agencies, provision of services or distribution of subsidies, etc. For several years now, two gangs have been fighting over control of the office of municipal president in the Mixtec community of Santiago Amoltepec, Oaxaca. It is reported that the conflict has already left 11 dead, 15 injured, several armed incursions, 22 houses burned and cattle and crops stolen. 26. In several of the cases reported, the election and/or appointment of authorities and officials - and their continuance in office - has played a central role in these scenarios. Although in Oaxaca tradition and custom are respected in electing local authorities in 418 out of a total of the State’s 517 municipalities, various post-election conflicts occur and sometimes generate tensions and divisions in the municipalities. For example, in 2001, 19 town halls were taken, there were 5 deaths and 18 supplementary elections were called. In La Montaña de Guerrero, numerous violations of human rights of the region’s indigenous population took place at the hands of the municipal authorities or members of the police or the army, as, for example, in Tehuaxtitlán and Xochistlahuaca. In La Montaña de Guerrero, a number of indigenous communities decided in 1995 to establish a Community Police as an alternative to the established State and municipal police forces, “with the sole aim of taking security back out of the hands of criminals” and so that the indigenous authorities could deal justice “in accordance with our customs and practices”. The Regional Coordinator of Community Authorities of La Montaña and Costa Chica de Guerrero complains that the State and federal authorities have tried to dismantle the Community Police and that in doing so they have committed various abuses against members of the indigenous communities (threats, harassment, arbitrary detentions, framings), although there have also been complaints about how the Community Police itself has acted. This case brings to the fore a matter of great topicality in Mexico, namely, discussion of the practice of internal regulatory systems, the application of criminal positive law and respect for individual guarantees in human rights. Among the Tzeltales of Bachajón, in the municipality of Chilón, Chiapas, a community effort is being made to apply a legal system of usages and customs to solve conflicts and ensure justice locally in communities. Compliance with this system has been achieved in a number of cases through negotiations with municipal and State government and judicial authorities, with help from “problem solvers”. 27. A number of human rights conflicts and violations concern offences such as drug trafficking. Some indigenous peasants, as a result of poverty and isolation, have become involved in criminal activities that can lead to social breakdown and violence in the