Islamic SHS riots: At least 25 students on admission after police gunshots
At least 25 Islamic Senior High School students in Kumasi have been rushed to the hospital following an alleged clash with the police.
The agitated students, who appeared to have had enough casualties on the road in front of the school, took to the streets on Monday morning to protest.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the death of a teacher who was knocked down by a speeding vehicle over the weekend.
The students blocked the Abrepo Junction – Barekese road to register their displeasure.
According to them, frequent calls and promises for speed humps in light of recent accidents on the stretch have fallen on deaf ears.
Two hours into the demonstration saw heavy vehicular and human traffic.
The police were then called to the scene to clear the roadblock and disperse the agitated students.
However, the police are said to have fired tear gas and shot into the protesting crowd, causing the injuries.
The affected students who are said to be suffering from respiratory distress were taken to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Manhyia Hospital, and other neighbouring hospitals.
Academic work has been stalled as parents stormed the school to check on their wards.
“This is not the first time we are talking about speed humps. We (parents) have complained about the same thing over and over again during PTA meetings. Must we wait for the unfortunate to happen before we take the necessary steps? Why do we want to see blood flow in Ghana before we take action? Why?” a worried mother quizzed.
Some distressed mothers also blamed school authorities for failing to protect their wards.
“What I still don’t understand is how the students were allowed to demonstrate. Where were the school authorities when students took to the streets? The police were also not informed. In this town, we all know you have to inform the police before holding a demonstration. So, what happened?”
“If something should happen to any of my children, the school will hear from me. I have three children and they all have asthma so imagine the police also throwing tear gas. The authorities should pray nothing happens. I want to go and confirm if my children are okay, that’s all I want,” she stressed.
In a related development, the Ashanti Regional Manager of the National Ambulance Service Sommik Duut assured the distressed parents that no student has suffered any traumatic injury or gunshot wound yet.
He mentioned that most of them had difficulty in breathing but were given oxygen and finally taken to the hospital.
There is also a heavy security presence as police and teachers try to reassure students that their colleagues will be fine.
In an amateur viral video, students are heard shouting “we want justice” as police officers prance around in calculated steps.
Meanwhile, the police in a statement hours after the unfortunate incident revealed that some police officers suffered a similar fate and were taken to the hospital.
The statement signed by Director General of Public Affairs DCOP Kwesi Ofori said the Inspector General of Police George Akuffo Dampare is proceeding to Kumasi for a first-hand assessment of the situation.
