APRC and Opposition supporters clash in Farafenni
The UDP led coalition presidential campaign team for the October 18th polls
met resistant supporters of the APRC at the gate to the compound of the
chief of Upper Baddibu, Sambujang Jagne in Farafenni on Wednesday.
According to an eyewitness the youth wing of the APRC were on full alert
armed with cutlasses and stones and other local weapons in what was
described as a planned revenge against the UDP for smashing Baba Jobe's
vehicle last weekend.
As the youth wingers started to cast stones at the UDP caravan, the
opposition responded sharply forcing the youth wingers to take to their
heels. The area, which is very close to the central market turned chaotic as
people ran helter skelter to all directions for their dear lives. Although
the police were present during the skirmish, according to sources, yet
little was done by them to prevent the violence for the missiles war
continued for more than 20 minutes which resulted in the smashing of two
vehicles with registration numbers BJL 4213 and BJL5133 that were packed
beside the chief's gate. A police vehicle with registration number (GPF 7
FFN) was also on the scene
.It was after about 30 minutes that armed soldiers stormed the scene and
according to impeachable source, the leader of the army team ordered his men
to fire at the leg of any person seen casting stones. But by that time many
people were already injured.
A police officer at the scene that was contacted for possible comment ran
away and as this reporter ran after him, he shouted at him to stop going
after him because he was not going to talk to the press.
APRC accused of vote-buying
As Election Day draws near, signs of desperation by political parties to
gain public support are becoming visible everywhere with sporadic reports
suggesting that the ruling party has been sending its agents to buy off
votes destined for the opposition.
Reports reaching The Independent indicate that some people around the
Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) area are buying voters cards from
prospective voters. Those who were approached recently by certain elements
who claimed to be working for the ruling APRC party said the men requested
to buy their voters cards. They said such APRC party agents usually approach
holders of voters cards in the evening and at night, sometimes after
"Maghrib" prayers canvassing for support and votes.
Sources say the card buyers approached many landlords and jobless youths
offering to buy their voter cards for between D150 to D200. Many who were
annoyed by this situation told The Independent that despite it being against
the IEC's rules and regulations, such practice still continues.
As APRC and UDP stalwarts clash Opposition elements arrested in Kembujeh
About seven supporters of the opposition coalition were on Wednesday
arrested and detained at the Brikama Police Station for allegedly taking
part in Tuesday's clash between the APRC and opposition members at Kembujeh.
Among those arrested are Abu Bojang, son of late chief Sanjali Bojang, Fatou
Butu Bojang and her daughter, Sonko Sanneh, Binta Jabang, Filijay Jammeh and
a daughter of Shyngle Nyassi. Officers of the Brikama police station were on
Wednesday afternoon led into the village by one Makutu Bojang, a daughter of
the Kombo central chief, Bakary Santang Bojang, to arrest the coalition
supporters.
This latest arrest followed on the heels of a violent clash between
militants of the two parties at Kembujeh during which five APRC supporters
were injured. Sources close to the village alleged that while a convoy of
coalition supporters was on its way to Kombo East, APRC members who were at
the time holding a meeting at the roadside in Kembujeh, started throwing
stones at them. Sources intimated that the coalition militants disembarked
from their vehicles and advanced towards their alleged attackers.
The APRC militants who were injured went to Brikama police to lodge their
complaints before going to the health centre. Meanwhile, hundreds of
opposition activists converged at the Brikama police station while the
detainees were recording their statements. At the time of going to press,
none of the militants was granted bail.
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