NPP condemns NDC for accusing them of harassment

The Northern Regional Secretariat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday denied claims by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that NPP activists were leading the security agencies to arrest and harass NDC members at Tamale.

"This claim by the NDC is highly unfortunate and undesirable," a release signed by Alhaji Salifu Abdurahmani, Northern Regional Chairman of the Party, said in Accra.

The release expressed regret that the National Youth Organiser of the NDC, Mr Iddrisu Harruna and the Minority Spokesperson on Communication and Member of Parliament for Bole, Mr John Mahama, both from the area, had chosen to accuse security agencies for arresting only NDC members as perpetrators of attacks on NPP supporters in Tamale.

"We would have wished that the two NDC stalwarts visited Tamale to ascertain the extent of damage and the gravity of the atrocities committed rather than sitting in Accra and pointing accusing fingers just to score political points.

"We also wish to remind the NDC that when investigations are to be made by the Police, people must be arrested led by the complainants themselves. The NDC should also note that some of the culprits were arrested on the scene."

The release explained that since the crisis erupted in Yendi a year ago, the situation in the Tamale Metropolis in particular, had become very fluid and this had created a state of anxiety, instability and fear among all members and sympathisers of the NPP.

That tense situation, according to the release, was reported to the security agencies that seemed relaxed.

"NPP believes that had emboldened such perpetrators, who behaved as if they were above the law.

"This we believe culminated into the carnage that erupted for three days without the NDC or any traditional ruler coming out to condemn the activities of the youth, who went on rampage to harass any body in NPP regalia and destroying NPP structures.

"It is sad to note that it was only after the irate youth had vandalised and burnt NPP activists' property, houses, cars, motorbikes and even killing and burning some of our members that the perpetrators were arrested, and the NDC are now beginning to complain about the mode of arrest."

The NPP said it is, therefore, ridiculous for anybody to call for immediate release of those arrested as suspects.

The release said the attacks on NPP activists were calculated plans by some politicians to frustrate the efforts the government and the international community were making in promoting peace in Dagbon.

It, therefore, called on members of the NDC to come to Tamale to "see things for themselves" and to cooperate with the government to identify the real perpetrators of the atrocities rather than politicising the attacks.

It further called for serious and fair investigations into the carnage and the events leading to the attacks.

The release also appealed to the government, as a matter of urgency, to resettle displaced families and foot the medical bills of the injured while arranging for compensation for those who lost their property.