Violence mars memorial service
By ROBERT SMITH
Published: 26th March 2007
RIOT police surrounded youths in Sanabis last night and swapped tear gas for stones, following a memorial service for a man who died 11 years ago.
A large section of the Budaiya Highway was sealed off to traffic and the roads of Sanabis village were strewn with burning bins and tyres.
The clashes started at around 7.30pm, following the memorial service for Isa Qassim, at Sanabis cemetery.
Masked youths claimed that around 300 to 400 people attended the service, before it was broken up by police.
They said authorities were notified two weeks ago that the gathering would take place, which is why the crowd reacted angrily when it was dispersed.
Violence mars memorial service
By ROBERT SMITH
Published: 26th March 2007
RIOT police surrounded youths in Sanabis last night and swapped tear gas for stones, following a memorial service for a man who died 11 years ago.
A large section of the Budaiya Highway was sealed off to traffic and the roads of Sanabis village were strewn with burning bins and tyres.
The clashes started at around 7.30pm, following the memorial service for Isa Qassim, at Sanabis cemetery.
Masked youths claimed that around 300 to 400 people attended the service, before it was broken up by police.
They said authorities were notified two weeks ago that the gathering would take place, which is why the crowd reacted angrily when it was dispersed.
Thick smoke mixed with tear gas inside the village, where women and children watched events unfold just metres away from them.
Police officers at the scene threatened to confiscate the GDN’s camera if pictures of them were taken and refused to comment on the clashes.
Qassim was allegedly killed in 1996 and the youths said a similar service was planned for next week.
© Gulf Daily News
