Five
youths, believed to be supporters of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), were
Thursday arrested in Panchang village in
Central River Region on the day of National Assembly elections.
Cherno
Ceesay, Saloum Jammeh, Amulai Janneh Mbaye, Ogo Ceesay and Kebba Manneh were
arrested “for erecting an illegal check point between the Gambia and Senegal
border”.
According
to the police, the youth claimed that they erected the checkpoint “to deter
non-Gambian citizens from voting, especially for the NRP candidate”.
“The
matter was reported at Njau Police Station and the suspects were arrested and
currently helping the police in the investigations,” police PRO, Foday Conta
said.
Similarly,
Conta said on Thursday in the early hours of the morning, the police also
arrested one Muhammed Ceesay and his father, Ebou Ceesay, of Panchang village
“in connection to election violence”.
Muhammed
and his father were arrested for fighting a police officer and obstructing a
police officer in the due execution of his lawful duties, respectively.
“Momodou
had a fracas with the police when he refused to join the queue at the polling
station,” the police PRO said.
“As
he was approached by police officer to join the queue, he was reluctant as a
result they had a push and pull and Muhammed Ceesay assaulted the officer
causing injuries on him.”
“As
the other police officer try to intervene, Ebou Ceesay the father to Muhammed
Ceesay interfered thereby obstruct the arrest.”
Later,
both father and son were arrested and detained at Njau Police Station and a
case file has been opened for the matter to be investigated.
