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Date: | Mon, 10 Apr 2000 20:54:23 -0700 |
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from the BBC
Monday, 10 April, 2000, 20:41 GMT 21:41 UK
Six killed in Gambia
clashes
At least six people, including a Red Cross
volunteer, have been killed when police broke
up student protests in Gambia.
The protests began as a march against alleged
police mistreatment of students but suddenly
degenerated into violent clashes in the capital,
Banjul, between the security forces and young
people.
Red Cross officials in Gambia said volunteer
worker, Umar Barrow, was shot by armed
police who had entered the headquarters of
the charity.
The officials said Mr Barrow was wearing Red
Cross insignia when he was shot and that they
had protested to the authorities about the
behavior of the security forces.
The circumstances surrounding the other
deaths are less clear, but medical personnel
said many people have bullet wounds. At least
one police officer was badly injured.
Rape protest
The student demonstrations began with
protests about the alleged rape of a woman
student and the alleged torture of a young
man by the security forces.
Students announced plans for the
demonstration at the weekend, claiming that
the Gambian Government had not responded
adequately to the events.
According to witness reports, students set
tyres alight, ransacked government offices and
burned vehicles. A police station, post office
and buildings belonging to state television and
the independent electoral commission were
badly damaged.
The authorities have now ordered all schools
and colleges to close, and said that armed
soldiers will ensure order on the streets.
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