Ten demonstrators sustain gunshot wounds at Agogo

Agogo, (Ash), May 1, GNA - Ten persons, who were part of a group of demonstrators that clashed with the Police at Agogo in the Asante-Akim No= rth Municipality on Friday, have sustained gunshot wounds.

They are receiving treatment at the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital. The group was protesting criminal activities of Fulani herdsmen in t= he area but their action turned violent when members got to the palace of th= e Omanhene of the traditional area, Nana Kwame Akuoko Sarpong. The demonstrators started to vandalize the Palace resulting in the arrest of one the protestors. An eyewitness told the Ghana News Agency that the arrest angered the protestors, who laid siege of the Police station and demanded the unconditional release of their colleague.

They allegedly pelted the Police with stones injuring three of them including the District Police Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Poli= ce Samuel Odame. The eyewitness said at this point the Police allegedly began firing live=

bullets into the air to disperse the demonstrators and some of protestors=

were hit by bullets.

Superintendent Samuel Afriyie, the Konongo Divisional Commander, confirm= ed the incident to the GNA. Mr Thomas Osei Bonsu, the Municipal Chief Executive, expressed worry abo= ut the turn of events and asked demonstrators not to take the law into their=

hands. He said the Municipal Assembly was taking steps to tackle the nuisan= ce that the Fulani herdsmen were causing.