Mexico missing students: Thousands march in protest

Protesters in Mexico clashed with police following a largely peaceful rally in support of 43 students who went missing in September, the BBC reported.

The demonstrators expressed their anger over the handling of the case by President Enrique Pena Nieto.

The president's popularity rating has dropped to its lowest point since he took office two years ago.

The students disappeared after clashing with police in the town of Iguala on 26 September.

The case has shocked Mexicans as allegations of police collusion with drug gangs surfaced during the investigation into their disappearance.

In October, Mexico's attorney general ordered the arrest of Iguala Mayor Jose Luis Abarca.

On Monday, President Pena Nieto submitted a package of ten reforms aimed at tackling the crisis to Congress for debate.

Some of the more controversial proposals include replacing all 1,800 municipal police forces with state-level units.

The president also wants extra powers to shut down local governments considered to have been "infiltrated" by drug cartels.

Mr Pena Nieto has announced he will travel to Iguala later this week. He has not visited the town since the students went missing.