Injuries and arrests after protesters take to the streets in Brikama
A woman carried by Red Cross volunteers at Brikama Protest
By THE MONITOR CORRESPONDENT
A group named #OccupyBAC ellipsis for #Occupy Brikama Area Council, have taken to the streets despite being denied permit to demonstrate against their local government office, Brikama Area Council, in the West Coast Region.
Many residents of Region have been expressing their dissatisfaction with the performance of the Brikama Area Council headed by chairman Sheriff Sonko.
They lamented poor hygiene conditions of markets and what they termed as gross lack of transparency to the people who voted for the chairman.
Nearly two dozen people were hospitalized at Brikama Health Centre as a result of the firing of tear gas on them during the protest by personnel of the Police Intervention Unit (PIU).
Several protesters were detained at the Brikama Police Station.
The police employed an early crowd dispersing strategy with the use of tear gas, but the crowd later swelled and the streets teemed with protesters.
“BAC must deliver,” was their loud mantra.
Police denied the protesters entry at the police station when they called for the release of their associates.
Protesters said the Council failed to deliver in their responsibility to provide public services as a local government.
“We do not by law require any permit from the Inspector General of Police (IGP),” said one of the protesters encouraging his colleagues to be peaceful and law abiding.
According to the Public Order Act, it is the Governor of the Region that should grant permit for demonstration, while Banjul City and Kanifing Municipality are the two under the jurisdiction of the IGP.
Ismaila Fadera, who is said to be among the organisers of the protest is said to have sustained injuries when a tear gas hit him and contaminated his eye.
Many women sustained injuries, some protesters were unconscious and others bleeding as a result of purported battering by the PIU personnel.
Red Cross volunteers were on the ground supporting the injured and those in other conditions of suffering.
The CEO of Brikam Area Council, Mam Sait Jallow was openly apologetic to the protesters when they trooped to the council’s office and handed him their petition that contains their purpose and demands, calling the situation ill-fated.
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