Venezuelan student protest ends in dramatic clash

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A university protest in Venezuela has ended with a policeman hurt and at least one student badly injured.

Students attempted to march from a Caracas university Thursday to protest the socialist country's deteriorating economy. But hundreds of riot police prevented them from leaving campus, deploying tear gas and flash-bang grenades. The students threw stones and firecrackers, one of which caught a policeman in the side.

The hours-long street battle ended with pro-government militia members in bandanas storming the campus.

Student leader Juan Requesens says at least three protesters were hospitalized. The militia members prevented journalists from photographing a student who lay on the ground, apparently gravely injured.

The students captured two counter-protesters and stripped them naked. Weeks of similar clashes have left at least 35 people dead.