By Mustapha Jallow Seventeen women from Mbayen in the Niamina East District of Central River Region (CRR), who were arrested and detained on Tuesday, 22nd July, 2014 by the Police at Jarreng have now been released on bail, according to a source close to their families. The seventeen who were released include Ramatta Mbye, Awa Ceesay, Jay Mbye, Jainaba Jeng, Hoja Mbye, Ada Ceesay, Gamu Mbye, Sohna Mbye, Yassin Boye, Aramata Mbye, Chibu Mbye and Jay Ceesay and the five husbands who were said to be detained in place of their wives are namely Momodou Mbye, Batch Mbye, Demba Mbye, Babucarr Mbye and Abdou Secka. Readers could recall that 17 women farmers from Mbayen Village in CRR were reported to have been arrested and detained by the Jarreng Police two days ago and five of them were later released to go home to prepare the evening meals for the breaking of the Ramadan fast, but were replaced by their husbands. The five women who were replaced in detention by their husbands are Haddy Mbye, Fatou Mbye, Jarra Mbye, Fanta Mbye and Rohiatou Jobe. It was reported that the women were arrested around 10am on 22nd July, while they were cultivating a rice field of which they claim ownership. According to CRR Police Commissioner, Ebrima Cham, the arrest of the women was effected after they breached an order of the District Tribunal by cultivating land beyond the portion allocated to them by the said Tribunal. He confirmed that he had given the instructions for the arrested women to be released on bail after their cautionary statements had been taken. ]]>
