By Sahid Bangura
In a surprising action of the Anti-Land Grabbing Unit led by the Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police, J. T. Kai and his team from the Operational Support Division (OSD) interrupted the New England Ville central business junction to vandalize shops, kiosks, and market tables.
The operation which was witnessed on the 9th February, 2023 was geared towards the eviction of business owned centres that are within the environs (at the front view) of the newly constructed Scout Headquarter building at New England Ville, which is soon to be opened by the president, Dr. Julius Maada Bio.
According to witnesses, the eventual circumstance of the police caused the community unrest and badly victimized due to the pelting of stones and other form of chaos by the youths of the community in preventing the Anti Land Grabbers from demolishing the entire business centres where hundreds of citizens are finding their living, daily.
Mrs. Cole, the Chief Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the New England Division vented her dissatisfaction over the disturbed atmosphere triggered by the OSD Personnel in her division without her consent or notice. She explained that the arrival of the demolition team was unknown to her. Amidst the situation, when pelted stone were making waves at the scene, she said it was at that time the ASP, Mr. Kai informed her about their operation.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, LUC, Mr. Abdul Moijeh and team from Central Division, swiftly responded at the scene, admonished the affected members of the community to keep the peace and maintain sanity within the surrounding, and promise to engage the authorities concerned over the issue.
In his conclusion, he encouraged the business people to go about their normal businesses, and also admitted that, after engaging the Authorities, he would revert to the Officer in Command at the New England Ville Police Station who would keep them informed on the outcome of the engagement.
Speaking with Forum Newspaper, the Chair lady of the business people, Mrs. Sesay asserted that the arrival of the personnel was a shock to them, and that they have never for once received any letter or notice from any institution about the eviction of their business places. She continued that they had been at the said place for a long time doing their business.
Mr. Juma Barrie, a physically challenged man, who owns an “Ataya-Base” at the New England Ville Central conveyed that after years of trading Ataya at the junction, he has neither been confronted by any scout personnel, nor police or any authority; he grievously admitted that seeing authorities vandalizing his place of business without a notice was a mere form of inhuman act.
“I am a disabled person, and this is my place of survival; I am calling on government to help and allow us do our business. My place has been vandalized, my hope is all shattered, and begging in the street like other physically challenged people is my greatest fear. I am pleading with government to help fixed up the only “Ataya-base” which I relied on for survival.” Mr. Barrie concluded.
