SAN SALVADOR, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Salvadoran police arrested 576 alleged gang members over the weekend, as part of its operations against a rising wave of homicides nationwide, the National Civil Police (PNC) said Monday.

The alleged leaders of the Mara Salvatrucha gang in charge of selling drugs and ordering homicides, Carlos Mariano Aquino and Franklyn Yohalmo Alvarez have been arrested.

The Central American country registered 87 violent deaths last weekend, according to official reports, prompting a state of emergency valid for 30 days from early Sunday morning, which allows both the PNC and the Army to take control of areas where violence has mounted.

President Nayib Bukele has toughened prison conditions, banning prisoners from going outdoors and ordering food rations which allow only two meals per day.