Manso Nyankomase residents protest after alleged military brutality
Residents of Manso Nyankomase in the Amansie South District in the Ashanti Region last Thursday staged a protest following a violent confrontation with military personnel that left five people injured.
The angry residents, who were clad in red arm bands, marched through some principal streets of the town before presenting a petition to the District Chief Executive, Benjamin Marfo, for onward submission to President John Dramani Mahama.
Last Tuesday, a private company was said to have arrived in the community apparently to reclaim devastated lands as a result of illegal mining popularly referred to as galamsey without informing authorities within the community.
Dissatisfied with the development, some residents questioned the motives behind the company’s presence, which reportedly resulted in violent confrontations between community members and the soldiers guarding the company.
The confrontation led to the injury of five residents who are currently receiving treatment in health facilities close to the area.
Petition
In their petition presented after the protest, the residents demanded that the government investigate the identity and operations of the company behind the reclamation exercise and clarify why military personnel have been deployed to protect their activities.
They further gave the military a three-day ultimatum to vacate the community and remove all machines belonging to the company from their land or face intensified protests.
Speaking on behalf of the residents, the Unit Committee Chairman at Manso Nyankomase, Isaac Nsiah, called on the government to intervene immediately before the situation escalates into chaos.
He appealed to the DCE to forward their petition to the President and relevant security agencies for swift and decisive action to ensure community peace.
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