CURITIBA Mayor Gustavo Fruet lashed out at police on Wednesday night after they fired rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades at striking teachers, injuring more than 150 people.

Mr Fruet called the scene in the Brazilian city a “war without precedent.”

He labelled it a “tragedy foretold” and blamed the security forces, who are the responsibility of the Parana state government.

Police commanders claimed their action had been sparked by a few protesters trying to gain access to the state congressional building where legislators voted to make cuts to teachers’ pension rights.

TV images showed police firing their weapons into tight clusters of striking teachers.

Water cannon were also used to repel protesters.

The Curitiba municipal government website said that at least 150 people had been treated for injuries.

The state security secretariat said about 20 police had been hurt.