Call for probe into violence against NDC

The Ayawaso Central constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Tuesday appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to order immediate and speedy investigations into complaints the party has lodged with the Tesano Police about attacks on its members since 1992.

"We want the law to take its course," Ms Frances Asiam, Women's Organiser of the NDC in the constituency said at a press conference in Accra. "We expect nothing short of that. The truth must be found and established," she added. Ms Asiam said because no action has been taken on the complaints, Mr I.C.

Quaye, (NPP) Member of Parliament for the constituency, "has been visiting mayhem on NDC members". She said Mr Quaye had the audacity to continue "to attack us and smartly turn round to accuse us of being violent."

Ms Afram alleged that Mr Quaye was at one time asked to sign a bond to be of good behaviour following one of the violent actions. The press conference was to throw more light on the clash between supporters of the NDC and New Patriotic Party (NPP) at Alajo on Sunday in which a number supporters of the two parties were injured and the NDC office vandalised.

The two have accused each other for starting the violence. Ms Asiam, pointing to the NPP constituency office, a few metres opposite that of the NDC said: "Look at their office which is intact."

"If the NDC was violent and wanted to retaliate do you think that office would be standing there now?" She said as the ruling party, which is always preaching peace, the onus of maintaining that peace has always been on the NDC.

Mr Said Sinare, an NDC stalwart and former MP for the area, said he used a pistol he legally possesses "effectively during the clash." "I fired warning shots at the NDC constituency office when I saw about 150 youth violently charging on me," he said. "If I had not done that there would have been casualties. I maintain that I did not step in Mr Quaye's house."

Sinare said the NPP should pay for the damage caused to the NDC constituency office and replace the items that were destroyed which include a computer and 3.5 million cedis cash meant for the payment for a caterer the NDC hired for a fund raising rally