Chaos erupts in Tumu; two reported dead as youth clash with Police

Chaos erupted in Tumu in the Upper West Region Friday when some rampaging youth, who have accused the Police of highhandedness, stormed the Police Station there to protest the drowning of a suspected ‘wee’ smoker.

Two other persons were also allegedly shot dead Friday when the angry youth of the town besieged the Tumu Police station to protest the action of the Police on Thursday which led to the drowning of 21-year-old Kanwei Hanidu.

Others are said to have been injured and receiving treatment at theTumu District Hospital.

A team of police personnel on patrol duties Thursday swooped in on a group of young people who were said to be smoking Indian hemp on the bank of a dam.

To escape arrest, Hanidu was said to have dived into the dam with others but drowned in the process. His body was retrieved Friday, a situation that incensed the youth who vowed to retaliate.

Police sources told 3news.com the youth made first attempt to attack the Tumu Police station Thursday at about 7:00pm but that was foiled by officers on duty at the time.

However, the apparent unyielding youth stormed the Police station again on Friday where they managed to lock up some officers and tried to burn down the place, eyewitnesses said.

The police, according to eyewitnesses, were allegedly forced to open fire on the rampaging youth who destroyed a number of police properties including vehicles and office equipment.

Unconfirmed reports say two of the youth were hit in the process and have since died.

Though the Police say the situation has normalized and calm restored, our correspondent say tension is still high.