Three suspects have been killed in clashes with police and 97 have been arrested since the violence erupted on Tuesday.
One suspect was killed and 17 arrested in the crackdown on the attacks on Friday, which authorities say have been organised by jailed gang leaders as a protest against prison conditions and new restrictions on their activities from behind bars. According to local media reports, more than 40 cities have been hit by the wave of violence, in which attackers have torched cars, trucks, buses and a health centre and left police cruisers, businesses and government buildings riddled with bullets.
The number of reinforcements will reach 500 by Saturday, said Rio Grande do Norte Governor Fatima Bezerra.In all, three suspects have been killed in clashes with police and 97 have been arrested since the violence erupted on Tuesday.