By Our Staff Writer
Fears have been expressed in many quarters that the latest wave of political violence triggered by the Montserrado County District #1 has spiraled out of control, with Saturday seen rioting leading to a number of injuries.
The standoff between supporters of the two leading candidates in the deadlocked Montserrado County District # 15 By-elections, opposition ALP’s Telia Urey and the ruling CDC’s Abu Kamara witnessed stone throwing and clashes that have left many injured and properties damaged.
Currently, there are still several victims from the last elections violence nursing there wounds when clashed between Telia and Abu’s supporters resulting into rioting at the headquarters of the National Elections Commission in the Monrovia suburb of Sinkor.
A Liberian commenting on the upsurge of political violence on Facebook, Sheikh Kafumba Dukuly says: “We need national government to provide the requisite leadership. Law enforcement must play it part in addressing some of these incendiary comments and the media among other things is not above the law. If we have people in the media stoking hate messages, law enforcement needs to hold them accountable.”
There are claims and counter claims as to what really triggered the violence, with reports that it all started after Ms. Urey had gone to the home of one of the candidates in the July 29 race in Logan Town to get his support for the pending rerun in the four quarantined precincts due to be held in a week’s time.
A Reporter in the area on Saturday said this may have annoyed the CDC supporter, triggering clashes and stone throwing that resulted into the looting of the home of Mr. Kelvin Morris Bayoh.
The violence then spread to the streets of Logan Town and the residence of candidate Kamara in the same vicinity, when vehicles were damaged and people were injured from stone throwing.
After the violence started, the driver of the Nissan Patrol jeep of Ms. Urey reportedly took off with heavy speed to flee the scene of the riot, but he unfortunately ran into a building smashing it.
Saturday’s riot disrupted normal businesses and traffic within the vicinity of Logan Town but calm returned after officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) moved in to restore order.
Meanwhile, the LNP in a statement issued last evening has condemned the District #15 Violence and says it has Launched Investigation into the riot.
“The Liberia National Police condemns in the strongest term violence which broke out today, August 17, 2019 in District #15 between supporters believed to be of the Coalition for Democratic Change candidate, Abu Kamara and supporters believed to be of the Opposition Collaborating Political Parties candidate, Telia Urey.
The LNP views such action as counterproductive to the peace and stability of the state,” the police press statement says.
The LNP says its first contingent of Police who firstly responded to the scene was unable to arrest violent actors. When reinforcements arrived, the alleged perpetrators had absconded.
“Members of the public, especially residents of District #15 are urged to assist with any useful information including videos and pictorials to ensure that those responsible are made to face the full weight of the law.”
The LNP has assured the Liberian public “that violent actors in today’s (Saturday’s) violence will be made to face the full weight of the law.”
Ms. Urey is expected to hold a news conference on Sunday.
At the same time, the Liberia National Police has clarified Social Media posts that Jestina Taylor, a resident of Duport Road was not dead, saying the woman who is still alive.
The LNP informs the public that Madam Taylor is currently hospitalized at the Catholic hospital and is seeking medical treatment under the watch of her family and the Liberia National Police.
The LNP views such social media reportage as attempts on the parts of some individuals to derail and undermine the peace and stability of the state.
According to officers at our Zone 8 base, Madam Taylor was last Friday evening at 7:30 PM taken there by a taxi driver with complaints that she was allegedly injected by some unknown men.
She was taken to the Catholic hospital and is currently undergoing treatment.
The public will be duly updated subsequently.