Spanish riot police crack down on banned Catalan referendum

Thousands in Catalonia flood to the streets to participate in independence vote, but referendum ruled illegal by Spanish government in Madrid

BARCELONA: Spanish riot police burst into polling stations across Catalonia on Sunday, confiscating ballot boxes and voting papers to try to halt a banned referendum on a split from Spain as Madrid asserted its authority over the rebel region.

The Mayor of the regional capital Barcelona Ada Col au issued a statement demanding“an immediate end to police charges against the defenceless population”. Madrid said its police had acted in a proportionate manner.

Police broke down doors to force entry into voting stations as Catalans shouted “Out with the occupying forces!” and sang the anthem of the wealthy region. In one incident in Barcelona, police fired rubber bullets.

Officers in riot gear hit people with baton sand forcibly removed would-be voters, including women and the elderly, from polling stations.

Catalan officials said over 460 people had been injured in the police crackdown and the Spanish interior ministry said 12 police had been hurt.

Central government’s representative in Catalonia Enric Millo, referring to police action, told a news conference :“We have been made to do something we didn’t want to do.”

The referendum, declared il le- gal by Spain’s central government, has thrown the country into its worst constitutional crisis in decades and deepened a centuries- old rift between Madrid and Barcelona.

It remained unclear what action the Catalan government might take. However much voting takes place, a “yes” result is likely, given that most of those who support independence are expected to cast ballots while most of those against it are not

Despite the police action, hundreds-strong queues formed in cities and villages throughout the region to cast their votes.

The ballot will have no legal status as it has been blocked by Spain’ s Constitutional Court and Madrid for being at odds with the 1978 constitution.

Around 40% of Catalans support independence, polls show, although a majority want to hold a referendum on the issue.

A top-flight Spanish football match between Barcelona and Las Palmas was played without any supporters in the stadium because of the unrest.

One analyst said the scenes being played out across Catalonia on Sunday would make it harder for Madrid and Barcelona to find a way forward.

“I think it is going to make the clash more intense and make it more difficult to find a solution,” said Antonio Barroso of Teneo Intelligence.