By Mustapha Jallow
At least seven arrests were effected on election day and our latest information is that the arrestees are in the custody of the police.
Two of the arrestees are a father and a son who have been accused by the police of refusing to join the queue while in the process of voting.
According to a State Police spokesperson, one Muhammed Ceesay of Panchang Village in CRR North together with his father Ebou Ceesay were arrested for fighting a police officer and obstructing the officer in the due execution of his lawful duties, respectively.
Inspector Conta added that Momodou had a fracas with the police when he refused to join the queue at the polling station. ‘‘As he was approached by a Police officer to join the queue, he was reluctant and as a result they had a push and pull where Muhammed Ceesay assaulted the officer causing injuries on him. As the other police officer try to intervene, Ebou Ceesay the father to Muhammed Ceesay interfered thereby obstruct the arrest,’’ the police spokesperson said.
On that point the spokesperson disclosed that both the father and son were arrested and detained at Njau Police Station where a case file is open for the matter to be investigated.
On the other hand, five youths namely: Cherno Ceesay, Saloum Jammeh, Amulai Janneh Mbaye, Ogo Ceesay and Kebba Manneh all of Panchang, who are also believed to be PPP sympathisers were arrested in connection with erecting an “illegal checkpoint” between the Gambia and Senegal border claiming to deter non -Gambian citizens from voting especially for the NRP candidate.
‘‘These suspects are currently under police custody and investigation is still going on,’’ police say.
Saloum has in the past been notorious for the arrest of political supporters that oppose the power that be especially in election periods.
