One of the protestors who took part in last week’s demonstration over the voters’ register, Dr Agnes Adu says the Police are to blame for the violence that characterized the exercise.
“… You[Police] do not unleash terror on people standing still.I hold the Police 100 percent responsible for what happened to citizens of this country,” she said.
[contextly_sidebar id=”GAyE81JO73y1paF6tLrmwdHbvQB93gos”]Some leading members of the party were attacked together with other protesters for allegedly veering off the approved route.
The Police fired tear gas and water canons at some of the protesters while others were also were flogged with horse whips.
They have however justified their action, saying protesters were violent and violated the rules.
Speaking on Citi FM’s News Analysis Programme, The Big Issue, the USA branch member however denied those claims, saying “we were not breaking the rules. We followed due process.”
“The Police instigated the commotion and eventual destruction. At some point the Police decided that this procession and this demonstration will not go further,” she added.
She clarified that protesters became violent after the Police attacked them.
“…At some point the Police decided that this procession and this demonstration will not go further.Your basic instinct when someone is shooting at you is to restrict.”
Recounting the ordeal she went through, Dr. Adu said : “The Police held my attire even when I was far away from the frontline. I was very afraid. I did not know where to go so I had to surrender.”
She pointed out that though she sought refuge in one of the shops in the area, the Police barred shop owners from protecting her.
“The Police instructed the store keepers not to open demonstrators . I was stranded; I was at the mercy of the Police. They were threatening people not to help me.”
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana