The Ashanti Regional Security Council has placed a curfew on the Tafo township following clashes between the Muslim Community and the traditional authorities over a piece of cemetery land.
Scores of persons were wounded on Wednesday in the clashes and have been sent to the hospital.
Citi News’ Ashanti Regional correspondent, Hawa Iddrisu reported that the incident occurred when the Muslim youth were building a fence around a portion of the cemetery that has been allotted to them to bury their dead; a move that provoked the loyalists of the Tafo traditional council.
“They [Muslims] claimed that the Tafo traditional council has been selling their cemetery to people and they didn’t like the move hence trying to fence the facility to protect it against encroachment,” she added.
Some eyewitnesses told Citi News that the issue started last Saturday but the Police moved swiftly to ensure that peace prevails only for the situation to erupt today.
A statement from the Ashanti Regional Security Council signed by its chairman, Peter Anarfi Mensah said it has placed a dusk to dawn curfew on the township.
It further entreated “all persons within the vicinity of Tafo to observe this directive by remaining indoors in order to help protect life and property.”
Below is the full statement:
RESEC IMPOSES CURFEW AT TAFO
As part of measures to contain the escalating violence at Tafo and part of the Magazine area of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Security Council has decided to impose a dusk to dawn curfew from 6pm to 6am starting from today Wednesday 10th February, 2016. All persons within the vicinity of Tafo are entreated to observe this directive by remaining indoors in order to help protect life and property.
Security forces are on the ground to enforce the order and any person found in the area during the curfew hours would be delt with ruthlessly.
The public is also hereby assured that the necessary security arrangements have been put in place to ensure maximum security and safety within the area and there should be no panic but to remain calm as the security forces are in full control of the situation.
REGSEC is monitoring closely the measures put in place and would review the situation and issue further directives as the situation improves. We trust that all persons will co-operate to help ease the tension and bring the situation back to normalcy.
Signed
PETER ANARFI MENSAH
CHAIRMAN-REGSEC
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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana