An opposition NDC demonstration in Kumasi turned riotous on Sunday as the party activists threw stones at the Manhyia Divisional Police Headquarters, injuring some officers and damaging vehicles belonging to the law enforcement outfit.
The demonstration, DAILY GUIDE learnt, was held without the standard protocol of informing the police beforehand. Nonetheless, the police did not stop them even as they provided them with protection.
Former President John Mahama, who was expected by his party supporters, was conspicuously absent from the activity.
The stoning of the police station was done because the NDC supporters thought some of their members had been arrested and had being detained at the facility.
Not even the police explanation that they were not keeping any suspects could stop the party persons from stoning the facility.
The stone-throwing took place as the demonstrators headed for the Electoral Commission (EC) office to present a petition about the December 7 election which the NDC lost to the NPP.
Even in the face of extreme provocation by NDC supporters, the law enforcement personnel managed to steer clear of responding, but for which a bloody scene would have ensued.
Burning of Tyres
As if the stone throwing was not enough, the NDC members, during the walk, set car tyres on fire in the middle of busy roads, resulting in congested vehicular traffic and inconveniences to both motorists and pedestrians.
As the burning of car tyres continued, some of the hoodlums clad in red and black attire threw more stones at the police once more.
Injuries and Destruction
The paper gathered that some policemen, who were on duty at the station at the time, sustained severe injuries. Some vehicles at the station were also destroyed by the NDC goons.
Arrests
When things degenerated, the police quickly called for reinforcement following which security agents sprayed hot water on the charged protestors forcing them to disperse.
Unconfirmed reports said some of the NDC members sustained burns and were rushed to the hospital for attention. Two persons have been arrested and granted bail.
Police Commander
ACP Kwaku Buah, the Manhyia Divisional Police Commander, speaking on ‘Akoma FM’, condemned the NDC for attacking a police station with stones without justification.
According to him, the law stipulates that people who want to protest should at least inform the police five days prior to the event. The NDC, he said, did not do that, adding that the police were provoked by the NDC but they acted professionally.
“No NDC member was arrested but the NDC used that flimsy excuse to attack the Manhyia Divisional Police Command just to provoke us but we acted well even under extreme provocation,” the police commander noted.
Mahama Absent
Meanwhile, ex-President Mahama, who was expected to lead the Kumasi NDC protest walk to put pressure on the EC to annul the results of the December 7 elections, was conspicuously missing from the publicized party event.
The reason for Mr. Mahama’s absent was not immediately known. But his decision to stay away from the programme after the organizers had linked him to the event, seemed to have dimmed the hopes of most of the NDC members.
Kwame Zu
The NDC Ashanti Regional Scribe, Kwame Zu, said “you have not seen anything yet,” indicating that the NDC members would continue to protest until the EC, led by Jean Mensa, annuls the results of the polls.
Without providing any concrete evidence to buttress his wild allegations, he claimed that the EC openly rigged the presidential polls to favour the NPP, adding that the injustice done to the NDC would be resisted.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi