Halifa Sallah defuses tension at Serrekunda protest
Halifa Sallah National Assembly member for Serrekunda Central
By THE MONITOR CORRESPONDENT
Halifa Sallah, the National Assembly member for Serrekunda Central and Secretary General of People’s Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism (PDOIS) has on Wednesday defused tension at Serrekunda market when a scuffle between the youth and police officers engulfed the protest.
My Sallah spoke to the protesters who were furiously complaining about the arrest and detention of their colleagues.
The reason of the protest at Serekunda was the death of Ousman Darboe after allegedly beaten by officers of Anti-Crime Unit (ACU).
Sources said the eight detained in police custody at Serrekunda Police Station were release after negation with police officials and the Deputy CDS of the Gambia Armed Forces, Yankuba Drammeh and addressing of the angry crowd of protesters by Mr. Sallah.
Foroyaa quoted Halifa Sallah as saying: “They also complained that they are treated like animals. That is why they are reacting like this. To defuse the tension, I urge you to release those who are detained here and I will also go and address the protesters outside and I’m sure they will listen to me.”
He further addressed the protesters and their released colleagues not to put the law in their own hand, while reminding the security officers to chart a way forward in resolving the situation for peace and tranquility.
The outspoken parliamentarian who is said to have continued to meet other protesters in Bakoteh and other scenes arrived at a tense moment when protesters were throwing stones while the personnel of Police Intervention Unit (PIU) were also firing tear gas to quash the protest.
As he Sallah leaving the scene, the crowd adhered to his guidance and decided to gradually disperse for good.
However, deputy CDS, Yankuba Drammeh also expressed his interest in ensuring calm and restrain, saying to maintain peace was why his men were present on the ground.
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