Daily Observer, le 1er novembre 2004

Police Clash With Jambanjelly Youths
By Pa Malick Faye – Daily Observer

Brikama Police last Thursday clashed with youths in Jambanjelly over their (the youths) refusal to allow a team from the Water Resources department to remove a water tank in the village.

According to sources, a team from the Water Resources department arrived to remove the village tank without informing the village authorities. This is said to have angered the youths who chased the team from the village.

The team then left for Brikama where the matter was reported to the police who sent a team to accompany the officials in order to enable them remove the tank.
"As soon as the police arrived, some of the youths were found on the scene armed with sticks. A push and pull ensued resulting to physical attacks and this forced the police to retreat," a source said.

"Minutes later, re-enforcement was sent to handle the youths but were intercepted at the outskirts of the village by Dr Gibril Jassey, chairman of the Brikama Area Council and some of his councillors.

When contacted to shed light, Chairman Jassey confirmed the incident but was quick to say "we were there just to make peace and to prevent loss of life as the situation was so tense. The matter has been resolved and efforts are on the way to bring mutual understanding between the two parties."

Observer Company, le 16 décembre 2004

Forward with The Gambia

Last Updated: Dec 17th, 2004 - 11:38:11

Jambanjelly youths clash with police
By Lamin Dibba
Dec 16, 2004, 11:36

Hundreds of Jambanjelly villagers yesterday clashed with Police Intervention Unit (PIU) armed with tear gas over the removal of a water tank in the village.
Before the arrival of the PIU, the tabulo (town crier’s drum) was beaten after which villagers converged at the mosque and advanced towards the armed PIU personnel.
The villagers first destroyed the solar panels that supply the village with water and attempted to set the water tank on fire but the PIU personnel advanced to rescue the tank and the remaining panels.
The PIU personnel then started raining tear gas to disperse the villagers, but to no avail.
The villagers did not move and stayed to resist “the paramilitary invasion of Jambanjelly”. They vowed that the water tank would only be removed over their dead bodies. During the riot, a helmet belonging to a paramilitary personnel was confiscated by the villagers.
The situation worsened to the extent that the PIU personnel were chased out by the villagers.
After this, the villagers set up camp at the water tank to await re-enforcement.
Both the police and Army PRO could not confirm the latest development. Reports reaching the Daily Observer indicated that some youths were injured.
Unconfirmed reports claim Army personnel dispersed the crowd and mounted an overnight watch.
© Copyright 2003 by Observer Company

News
More arrests in Jambanjelly
By Lamin Dibba
Dec 31, 2004, 08:29

Four Jambanjelly youths were arrested by officials of the Brikama Police, charged and arraigned before Magistrate Buba Jawo of the Brikama Courts on Tuesday.
The four arrested youths Morro Saidy, Ebrima Bah, Salifu Camara and Assan Jatta were charged for rioting contrary to section 74 of the criminal code laws of The Gambia.
According to the particulars of offense, the four youths on December 15 at Jambanjelly Village in Kombo South jointly took part in a riot after a proclamation was made by the chief suprintendant of police as they [the police] attempted to destroy the water tank in Jambanjelly which they [the four] refused.
The men pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
They were remanded in custody following an application made by police prosecutor, Cadet ASP Badjie. Two weeks ago, thirty-five other youths from Jambanjelly were arrested, charged and arraigned before Magistrate Jawo of the Brikama Courts.
Following the frequent arrest of youths in Jambanjelly since the fracas between the Police Intervention Unit and Jambanjelly residents in ..., the remaining youths have fled the village for fear of arrest.
Four people have been hospitalised during the encounter between the security forces and the Jambanjelly youths.

© Copyright 2003 by Observer Company

News
Jambanjelly youths to be pardoned?
By Lamin Dibba
Jan 19, 2005, 10:48

Impeccable sources have told the Daily Observer that President Jammeh has given instructions for the state to withdraw criminal charges against the 40 Jambanjelly youths who were standing trial for rioting, after proclamation contrary to section 74 of the criminal code.
According to sources, the President’s decision came after a meeting with a delegation from Jambanjelly, who pleaded with him to pardon the youths. The villagers, sources said, described the clashes between the youths and the security forces on December 15 as a misunderstanding which would never happen again.
It could be recalled that the arrested youths were part of a group of villagers who jointly took part in a riot after a proclamation was made by chief Superintendent of police, Biram A Mbye in the name of President Jammeh for the youths to disperse. The villagers however refused thereby preventing the officials of the department of water resources from disconnecting one of the village’s water tank, which they intended to take to another village. This led to a fracas between the security forces and the youths resulting in the arrest of the youths.
Meanwhile, a court official at the Brikama courts told the Daily Observer that the matter would be struck out on Tuesday.

© Copyright 2003 by Observer Company