Regional News of Saturday, 31 August 2019

Source: starrfm.com.gh

Police clashes with Nsumia residents over noise-making in Eastern Region

The scene led to the destruction of a police vehicle (File photo) The scene led to the destruction of a police vehicle (File photo)

Nsumia, a community near Nsawam in the Eastern region was a scene of chaos Friday night after residents there clashed with personnel of the Ghana Police Service, leading to many injuries and destruction of Police vehicle.

According to Starr News sources, the team of Police officers retreated and called for reinforcement as residents armed with clubs and other implements were on a rampage. The rampaging residents blocked the main road leading to the community, burned tyres creating gridlock and prevented vehicles from moving through the community to other surrounding communities including Chinto and Ankwa Doboro.

Starr News gathered the clash was instigated after the Police personnel deployed from Nsawam stormed the community to stop the Chiefs and residents from making noise in the community in observance of Ohum festival by the Akuapems, whose land residents of Nsumia who are Gas occupy.

However, according to them, they were also celebrating Homowo, therefore, cannot observe the ban on noise making by the Akuapem Chiefs.

The Police team reportedly disconnected spinning equipment, which was loudly playing music in the community in defiance to the ban and attempted to impound it but the youth got angry and launched an attack on the Police leading to the injuries of both civilians and the Police.

The Police vehicle was pelted with stones destroying the windscreen, according to an eyewitness.

Information gathered indicates there has been rising tension between the Akuapems and the Gas on the ban on noise making as the Gas have refused to observe claiming they are not Akuapems.

This compelled the Municipal Security Council to hold an emergency security meeting with the parties which the Police Commander forced the parties to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to respect the ban but the Ga communities in the area said they will go ahead to celebrate the Homowo festival.