…As ‘Arise Ghana’ demonstrators pelt police with stones amidst tears gas and injuries galore.
A demonstration by the group ‘Arise Ghana’, dubbed ‘krom ay3 hye’, has degenerated into violence after violent demonstrators decided to pelt the police with stones, forcing the police to react with tear gas and more men.
There has been injuries to several police officers as well as destruction and damage to police equipment and cars. Several demonstrators had also been injured and some had been arrested.
The incident happened around Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, and property of innocent persons were also affected.
Some members of the leadership of the group were in court to face the Police over an impasse on the modalities for the planned two-day demonstration.
At the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court yesterday, Justice Comfort Tasiame who presided over the matter partially granted the application by the Police and directed demonstrators to converge at Obra Spot, and go through Farrisco Avenue to TUC and end at the Independent Square.
The court further directed that the intended demonstration should start at 8am and end at 4pm.
Having filed an appeal and a Stay of Execution on the ruling of the court, the Arise Ghana group at midday today started their demonstration.
During the protest, chaos erupted following a move by demonstrators to use unapproved routes.
Some of the irate protestors after failing to force their way through the barrier of the Police resorted to pelted stones at the Police and managed to destroy the glass windows of some Police buses.
The Police in a move to get the demonstrating crowd in order fired tear gas and managed to arrest some of the violent protesters.
At the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange road had to be closed, with no movement from either vehicles or persons.
Videos from the scene show that some protestors were pelting stones at the police personnel. There were also massive damages to some vehicles including a police van that was parked by the roadside.
Meanwhile as at press time the Ghana Police Service had arrested three protesters of the ongoing Arise Ghana Demonstration.
The three were allegedly picked up for their involvement in the chaos that marred the demonstration.
