Three secondary school students killed, 25 injured in North Darfur

Three secondary school students were reportedly killed, 25 injured, and dozens arrested during a mass demonstration on Sunday in El Malha locality, North Darfur. An eyewitness told Radio Dabanga that security forces, Central Reserve Forces (Abu Tira) and Border Guards used batons, tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the demonstrators, leading to the death of three students, 25 injured and dozens arrested. The witness said that the protesters were shouting slogans like “Down with the regime and price hikes”. He added that after the wounded arrived at the hospital of Malha town, “the security and militia troops” cordoned the hospital and stopped citizens from entering. On Thursday a number of secondary school students in El Malha reportedly sustained various injuries during a demonstration against the rise of fees for the application of a ‘national number’. A witness told Radio Dabanga that the students set-off a demonstration protesting against the increase of the fees for the application of a ‘national number’, from SDG50 ($11.25) to SDG60 ($13.50).Police forces on four vehicles arrived, firing dense shots in the air and using batons and tear gas to disperse the protesters. Several of the students were injured. Secondary school students need a national number, i.e. registration at the Sudan population register, in order to register for the final secondary school examinations. A week ago, parents of students in displaced camps in South Darfur also complained about the costs required for the application of a national number. File photo (Twitter)Related: South Darfur students unable to able to register for exams (23 September 2013)