Clashes at Kokrobite: Six injured, drivers allege police brutality
By DL News
Published
1 min read
The scuffle broke out at the Kokrobite Goil Filling Station during a funeral wake-keeping. Drivers had parked to help direct the hearse carrying the body of a colleague’s wife and ease traffic on the busy road.
Tensions flared in Kokrobite over the weekend when a confrontation between taxi drivers and officers from the Kokrobite District Police Headquarters left six people injured and four others in custody.
The scuffle broke out at the Kokrobite Goil Filling Station during a funeral wake-keeping. Drivers had parked to help direct the hearse carrying the body of a colleague’s wife and ease traffic on the busy road. Police, however, accused them of blocking the road, sparking the altercation.
According to eyewitnesses, officers allegedly descended on the drivers with sticks. Among those arrested was the chairman of the Kokrobite Drivers Association. A passenger was also among the injured.
Several drivers insist they were only helping to manage traffic and claim the assault was unprovoked. They further alleged that harassment by officers of the Kokrobite District Command is common, especially when drivers and motorbike riders refuse to pay money.
In a fiery statement, they called on the Inspector General of Police and the Minister for the Interior to intervene immediately or risk escalation, warning they would be forced to “advise themselves” if no action is taken.
Reports also indicate that officers allegedly assaulted and chased away journalists who attempted to cover the police’s side of the story, deepening outrage among the community.
