MANAGUA:

A protester and a policeman were killed in the Nicaraguan capital Managua after demonstrations over pension reform turned violent on Thursday night, officials said.

The deaths came after protests by both opponents and supporters of a new law, which increases employer and employee contributions while reducing the overall amount of pensions by 5%, rocked the capital for a second day.

A 33-year-old policeman was shot dead, according to police, as well as a young male protester, whom officials said was pro-reform but members of the opposition said was against.

According to opposition demonstrators, a male student was also killed.