Tafo clashes: Muslims vow to resist Police witch-hunting

The leadership of the Muslim Community at Old Tafo in Kumasi have served notice to resist any attempt by the Police to target only their youth as culprits in the February 10 clashes that left one dead.

Deputy Imam of the Ahlussunna Waljama, Sheikh Mohammed Kamil Mohammed, says they want peace in the area hence expect the Police and the Ashanti Regional Security Council to ensure justice is served in the case as they will not give in to any witch-hunting of any Muslim.

"We want peace. they [Police] shouldn't make it one side because they too [the traditional council], they have already destroyed our fence wall," he told TV3's correspondent, William Evans Nkum Wednesday.

Violence broke out in Old Tafo February 10 between traditional authorities and some Muslim youth in the area over a piece of land at the Tafo Cemetery when loyalists of the Traditional Council pulled down.

Several cars and properties were destroyed in the clash which was curtailed by an intervention by both a joint Police and Military team. A curfew was subsequently imposed on the residents to maintain law and order in the area. About 40 people were also arrested after the bloody clash.

They have since been released on Police enquiry bail pending a review of some videos of the incident for the necessary, possibly arrests, to be made. While the leadership of the Muslim youth have welcomed the decision of the Police, they want the security agencies to ensure fairness in the case.

"That video must be shown so that they arrest those who did that because they started before our people came in. They should show the video of those who destroyed the wall and those who came in. Who started it? Justice must be done, we are all Ghanaians. They should do justice in this matter," Sheikh Mohammed told TV3.

He said the leadership have been urging the youth to be patient "so that we can negotiate the matter with the elders. Now we need to get some enquiries from the Police [as to ] what happens."

"They are always talking about video where zongo youth went there. If they are going to effect the arrest of those who destroyed the fence wall, those who killed our boy, all of them must be brought to book," he demanded.

Commenting on the curfew which REGSEC has refused to lift, he said the situation is affecting businesses in the area, particularly those who operate in the night.

For him, he does not think the curfew is still relevant since both factions have since the incident been going about their duties peacefully, adding that if it will not be lifted, at least it should be reviewed from 8:00PM to 12:00 midnight.