Security rethink
By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 27th March 2007
AUTHORITIES have been urged to come up with a new strategy for policing a Bahrain trouble spot following another night of clashes between police and youths on Sunday.
The violence in Sanabis has raised serious concerns for innocent bystanders and families caught in the crossfire.
There were more incidents last night with youths burning tyres and rubbish bins.
Municipal Councillor Hameed Al Basri, who represents people in the area, said fighting breaks out up to three times a week and trouble seems to flare every weekend.
Security rethink
By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 27th March 2007
AUTHORITIES have been urged to come up with a new strategy for policing a Bahrain trouble spot following another night of clashes between police and youths on Sunday.
The violence in Sanabis has raised serious concerns for innocent bystanders and families caught in the crossfire.
There were more incidents last night with youths burning tyres and rubbish bins.
Municipal Councillor Hameed Al Basri, who represents people in the area, said fighting breaks out up to three times a week and trouble seems to flare every weekend.
However, the Al Wefaq National Islamic Society member does not think police force is the correct way to handle demonstrations and public gatherings. He suggested using a large number of plainclothes police, rather than officers dressed in riot gear, would be less provocative.
Mr Al Basri spoke to the GDN after he toured Sanabis yesterday morning to inspect damage following serious clashes between riot police and youths. He said one car he came across suffered burn damage as a result of tear gas, while the streets were littered with the remains of rubber bullets and burned rubbish bins.
“In general, you do not use teargas in enclosed areas,” said the councillor, who is chairman of Manama Municipal Council’s services committee.
“So many people get affected, especially the old and children,” Mr Al Basri said and accused police of sometimes being deliberately provocative.
“There are claims against the police (that they started the violence), but I know that youths will light fires and because both sides talk you cannot listen to one side and say they are correct,” he said.
However, despite poor relations between the police and the rioters, Mr Al Basri does not believe the trouble is sectarian.
The councillor says sometimes the rioters or police do not allow ambulances to enter the area, which denies basic rights to those not involved in the trouble.
He said residents also complain about teargas entering their homes and cars being damaged as police chase youths through the streets.
Mr Al Basri revealed the families of some of the youths claim to have been waiting for houses since 1983 and believes more government investment in housing could help quell the violence.
Meanwhile, sources told the GDN yesterday that three ambulances from Salmaniya Medical Complex were sent to the scene and paramedics treated 13 people on the spot who breathed in tear gas.
The violence started at around 7.30pm on Sunday after a memorial service for Isa Qassim at Sanabis cemetery.
Youths said authorities were notified two weeks ago that the gathering would take place, which is why they reacted angrily when it was dispersed.
Mr Al Basri said he did not know if that was the case, but added that authorities normally deny permission for such gatherings so organisers don’t bother asking. The Interior Ministry neither confirmed nor denied it.
© Gulf Daily News
