NDC, NPP supporters cause mayhem at Asokore

It was a free-for-all and a run-for-your-life affair at Asokore, near Koforidua in the New Juaben municipality, last Saturday morning when supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) clashed during a keep fit exercise.

Eleven people sustained various degrees of injury in the course of the disturbance and were rushed to the St Joseph’s and the SDA hospitals where they were treated and discharged.

The clash resulted in attacks on innocent residents and the destruction of their property in their homes and shops.

Vehicles parked around were not spared, as the enraged supporters who far outnumbered the policemen in their escort smashed windscreens.

It was, however, unclear which side had started the attack, as the two parties blamed each other for being the first to initiate the attack.

Cause

The New Juaben North NDC Constituency Secretary, Mr Ali Abubakar,  told the Daily Graphic that before the keep fit exercise, the NDC had gone for a permit from the police, who informed the party of a similar exercise by the NPP.

He said the police, therefore, pledged to provide enough security for both parties to prevent the possibility of any violence.

He said the police gave both parties separate periods for the exercise, even though they would use the same route.

"We were to move from the Prisons Park at Effiduase to Oyoko and Asokore Zongo, but when we got to Oyoko the police commander called to inform us to use the new road, while the NPP took the old one, since they were approaching.

"The NPP got to the Asokore Community Centre and when we also got to the same area they blocked us from continuing our march.

"That sparked a misunderstanding and it was so difficult to control the large crowd. But the Member of Parliament, Nana Adjei Boateng, acted irresponsibly by inciting his supporters to pelt stones at us," he alleged.

But Nana Boateng denied inciting NPP supporters and rather blamed the NDC for being the first to start the violence.

Meanwhile, the Effiduase District Police Commander, ASP Dan Yaro, who declined to give information on the incidence, said the police had restored calm.