Bloody Clash At Kumasi Tafo...One Person Reported Dead, Curfew Imposed

Fight Broke-out In Tafo

There have been violent clashes between Moslem youth and residents at Tafo, a predominantly Muslim community in the Ashanti Region over a cemetery.

Some Moslem youth reportedly attacked the Chief of Tafo after he questioned them about a fencing project being put up by the Muslims, who are laying claim to a portion of the cemetery.

The clash is said to be a revenge act by the residents to appease their Chief, who reportedly pulled down the fence.



Peacefmonline.com can confirm gunshots rang out as the incensed Muslims armed themselves with cudgels, double-edged machetes, hammers and other crude weapons, launched an attack on the young men, who pulled down the fence.

Properties worth millions of cedis are said to have been destroyed following the reprisal attack.

The Atwima Kwanwoma Rural Bank was set ablaze and numerous cars also vandalised in the melee.

A vehicle destroyed during the clash

Peace FM's Ashanti regional correspondent, Isaac Owusu reports that so far one person has been reported dead.

Calm has however been restored in the area while a joint Military and Police team have been stationed to maintain law and order.

In a related development, the Ashanti Regional Security Council has imposed a 6pm to 6am curfew in the area.

Below is a statement released by the Ashanti Regional Security Council on the curfew imposed:

REGSEC 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 dust 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.



Source: Adu Gyamfi Ameyaw/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana