Protesters attack Guerrero Congress over missing students

CHILPANCINGO, Mexico, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Protests against missing students in Mexico took another government-rattling violent turn yesterday when a government office and several cars were torched outside the Guerrero state congress building.

The congress building was severely damaged and the education department's audit office was set aflame in the demonstration called by the teachers union.

The action was another dramatic sign that the government of President Enrique Peña Nieto could be in serious jeopardy after 43 teaching students vanished and were presumed murdered six weeks ago in the nearby town of Iguala. Local gang members have confessed to the killings, say government officials, apparently carried out at the behest of local police and the town of Iguala's mayor, who didn't want demonstrators to interfere with a political event organized by his wife, according to authorities.

Iguala Mayor Jose Luis Abarca is under arrest on suspicion of ordering police to intercept the students. The town's police chief is still on the lam.

Charred bodies found in the area have not conclusively proven to be those of the students, though the remain have been sent to Austria for further testing.