Residents of Larteh in the Eastern Region are living in fear following alleged intimidation and extortion four policemen stationed there are meting out to the people of the town, sending several residents fleeing the town to seek refuge in nearby villages for fear of their lives.

According to some of the residents, who spoke to this reporter at their new bases in Akropong, Mampong and Mamfi, their lives are no longer guaranteed since the people who are supposed to protect them are rather unleashing ‘terror’ on them.

They told this paper that the police have become foes instead of friends, due to their habitual arbitrary use of force and power, gradually building up panic, insecurity and tension in Larteh.

One of the victims of the police’s acts, Moses Larbi, said the four policemen stationed in the town have become agents of molestation and that they have a habit of taking an amount of not less than GH¢6 for bail depending on a person’s negotiation skills, refusal of which might lead you to spending days in cell.

He said it has become very lawful for a person to just be thrown into cell without being told his/her offence or any statement taken, adding that the excuse the police gives “is that if your statement is taken you will be bailed and so the statement is deliberately delayed in order to delay one from getting bail”.

“‘This is the police own way of inflicting instant justice and punishment”, Mr Larbi stressed

Again, he alleges that there is so much carelessness on the part of the police that “you go to the police station at 8:00 pm and you will have to go to their quarters and knock their rooms before they will come to the station to attend to you”; with others refusing to come if they are asleep.

“These actions have become so persistent and legalized that you might rot in cell without even going to court if you don’t have money” another resident told this paper.

Moses Larbi mentioned Corporal Baah as the notorious policeman among them all, saying he (Baah) recently fought openly in public with one of the resident because the two were following one young girl.

Contacted, the Divisional Commander of Akropong, Francis Esong, confirmed the knowledge of the intimidation and extortion being undertaken by the police in Larteh and promised that he would do his best to curb the problem as soon as possible.

“I am aware of petitions being sent by the various youth clubs in the town and I will put my feet on the ground to see that the name and the integrity of the service is maintained”.