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 The task force vehicle with a smashed windscreen
The task force vehicle with a smashed windscreen

Mob attacks KEEA sanitation staff

The arrest of a woman for open defecation at Amisano in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem (KEEA) Municipality sparked fierce protests from some members of the community.

Five members of the assembly’s sanitation task force who effected the arrest were allegedly assaulted by enraged locals who described the arrest as illegal.

The angry mob, wielding sticks and stones, also damaged the vehicle used by the task force.

However, the task force members managed to send the culprit to Elmina.

Briefing the Daily Graphic on the incident, the driver of the vehicle said, “it was death coming to us.”

He said the task force got to the community around 5.30a.m. last Thursday, February 1, 2008 and arrested a woman who was defecating in the open.

He said after the arrest, another woman approached the vehicle to ask the task force members the reason for the arrest.

In spite of the explanation, she went to the community information centre to announce the arrest of the woman and called on the men of the town to take action.

According to the driver, suddenly, an angry mob charged on the task force,assaulted them and damaged their vehicle.

The Municipal Environmental Officer, Mr Alex Damptey confirmed the attack and said the incident would not deter the department from performing its duties.

Effects of open defecation

He indicated that open defecation was a problem in the municipality.

The practice, he noted, was negatively affecting tourism, salt and fishing activities of the municipality.

Again, he said diseases such as cholera and typhoid were linked to open defecation and added that his outfit was committed to working to curb the menace.

Meanwhile, the police had arrested four persons in connection with the attack.

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