Regional News of Tuesday, 3 November 2009

Source: GNA

Opinion Leaders to be held responsible for violence

Bawku (U/E) Nov. 3 GNA - Opinion Leaders in any locality of the Bawku Municipality where violence starts would be arrested and held responsible, the Upper East Regional Security Council (RGESEC) announced on Tuesday. The decision to arrest the Opinion Leaders was taken at a joint REGSEC and Bawku Municipal Security Council (BMSCE) meeting held at Bawku on Tuesday to deliberate on immediate measures that could be taken to address the recurring violence.

The meeting also decided that more security personnel should be deplored to Bawku and camped at all the known trouble-spots so that they would be able to stop any sign of violence before it escalated. In addition metal detectors would to be given to se curity personnel at all entry points to Bawku to identify hidden weapons.

Meanwhile calm has once again returned to the area, with people going about their businesses as if nothing happened last Monday. Mr Musah Abdulai, Bawku Municipal Chief Executive, told GNA that the some of the people have been appealing for the reduction of the curfew hours, which now began from 1400 hours to 0500 hours the next day. Violence started last Sunday night in the town and continued until the afternoon of Monday. Three people have been confirmed dead while seven got injured.

ACP Bright Oduro, Regional Police Commander, told GNA that 29 people, who were picked up by the Security Personnel, were yet to be screened to identify those that were involved in the shooting. He said many more security personnel have been sent to Bawku. 3 Nov. 09