Buguma Shooting: Council Bans Public Rallies Without Approval

Following explosions and gunshots that erupted at King Amachree Square in Buguma, headquarters of Asari-Toru Local Government Area last week, local council authorities have banned open public rallies without government approval.
The decision, according to the Senior Special Assistant to the Council Chairman on Strategic Communication, Ibinabo Horsfall, was reached after a meeting with the traditional authorities in the area.
He explained that the decision was not to gag or repress any individual or group but for maintenance of peace and order in the LGA.
Speaking to newsmen over the development, Horsfall said if not for the quick intervention of the LGA chairman in a political rally organised by the National Rescue Movement (NRM) at the King Amachree Square lives and properties would have been lost.
The council spokesman said the council swinged into action by ordering arrests of leaders of the parties, as he dismissed claims that party leader of NRM was manhandled by the police.
Henceforth he disclosed that those who want to use any open public place will have to apply, “as a responsible government we want to avert clash of any sort by ensuring that two people don’t go there at the same time.”
He noted that the new order is not part of the State Government Order 21, but for the purpose of maintaining peace as agreed by all parties after a meeting last Wednesday.

By: Kevin Nengia