By Mohamed T Massaquoi
Police in Pujehun have warned against the potential for violence in the Makpele chiefdom against the backdrop of tension emanating from a controversial investment scheme.
Makpele is in the eastern part of the district and it has been tethering on violence over an agreement involving a company called Natural Habitat, which is seeking to develop two plantations in Zimmi Makpele and Sorobiema chiefdoms, and the local authorities.
But some people are clearly opposed to something about the deal and the police and community leaders blame the youth for theensuing tension.
Detective Crime Officer attached to the Malema Police Division, based in Zimmi Town, Inspector Ibrahim Steven Bangura, said the youths have grown increasingly “arrogant”, displaying trouble-causing tendencies over the land lease agreement.
"This chiefdom should bear in mind that they have [a history] of violence, especially during the Dorgborwusui time and the civil war in 1991 which had a very negative effect… I warn them to desist as we are under a public health state of emergency due to the Ebola crisis in the country," he said. He then urged the youths to use legal means in venting out their anger, instead of taking the laws into their hands.
The crime officer said recently some group of youths was charged to the Pujehun Magistrate Court over death threat allegedly issued against the section chief of Selemeh, Chief Lemamu Koroma. The chief believes he is being haunted for his role in signing the land lease agreement, which those opposed to it believe wasn’t done with their consent.
The police inspector however lamented their frustration over the fact that despite their efforts in policing, no legal action had been taken against the people charged to court. Instead, “we saw them in the same community going about their normal businesses.” He claimed that some of those detained and released were even boasting that nothing would happen to them.
Inspector Bangura observed that every day youths are reported to their police station for violence-related issues, including beating of women across the chiefdom. He called on the government to pay more attention to the chiefdom as it is an international border region.
He also narrated a recent incident when the Pujehun District Council chairman, Sadiq Silla and the district officer Andrew Fofana were jeered at the ‘Court Barry’ for seeking to probe the land lease agreement.
Inspector Bangura disclosed to Politico that from police investigations, the youths were also highly involved with drugs like Cannabis, adding that they have even set fire on some of their meeting points.
"In fact, they do not go to bed until after mid night. We see them in different groups all over the town and as such we have started arresting them for public gathering. They are really very much lawless," he said.
Paramount chief Saffa Tamu similarly lamented the attitude of the youths in his chiefdom but promised to work with the district leadership to see that the issues are addressed with immediate effect.
PC Tamu said he believed in development and that no local authority could champion such on their own. It would require encouraging foreign investors, he said, while pleaded with the youth to accept the arrangement with Natural Habitat.
Section Chief Lemamu Koroma, who alleged receiving death threats, said the only reason he believed he was still alive was his proximity to the police station nearby his residence and the fact that his elderly son was always with him, serving as deterrent against his potential attackers.
The Section chief did however admit signing the lease agreement but said he was mandated by the land owners themselves. He said none of those expressing anger against him in fact own any piece of land where Natural Habitat intended to work on.
But chiefdom youths council chairman Emmanuel Seitua denied the allegation that youths were lawless. He blamed elderly members of the community for committing offenses and laying the blame on the youths.
"When once they are caught, they claim to be youths," he said.
The youth leader said they are in full support of the operations of Natural Habitat as it would give us job opportunities.
© Politico 22/01/15
