Regular police force still absent from Kutum, North Darfur
Police forces have yet to resume their duties in Kutum locality, North Darfur, in spite of announcements made last month. The police force was released from its duties when the state’s governor declared a State of Emergency in the province following waves of violence. He ordered all law enforcement services to withdraw. The military assumed all of the security posts.In March, police officers who originally came from areas outside Kutum locality were deployed to the area to guard centres where students are taking their primary and secondary examinations. “Regular” police officers were to be deployed days later, but that has not yet occurred, as sources indicate. Meanwhile, witnesses say, the army remains in charge.Displaced persons in Kassab camp near Kutum told Radio Dabanga that the situation at the site is “tense”, especially the north of the camp, due to the absence of police forces. They indicated a strong presence of militiamen in the vicinity who “are robbing and beating passers-by”.They appealed to the government of North Darfur to return police forces to Kutum and Unamid, as well as to intensify its patrols and protect civilians “according to its UN Security Council mandate”.Last week, Kassab saw a series of attacks against its residents by militia around Wadi Zuma, north of the camp. Sources said gunmen stole seven sheep from a displaced man and they assaulted another group who were collecting firewood. They stole a donkey from Ishaaq Mohamed Ali and the clothes and knife of a man called Yaqoub.In the same week near Kassab, militants tried to hold up a passenger vehicle carrying several displaced persons. Sources said the driver, anticipating the attack, accelerated and five people were thrown from the truck. They were not seriously injured.Related:’Abu Tira’ replaces armed forces in N Darfur camp- sources (18 March 2013)After 6 months police force to return to Kutum, North Darfur (12 March 2013)
Police forces have yet to resume their duties in Kutum locality, North Darfur, in spite of announcements made last month. The police force was released from its duties when the state’s governor declared a State of Emergency in the province following waves of violence. He ordered all law enforcement services to withdraw. The military assumed all of the security posts.
In March, police officers who originally came from areas outside Kutum locality were deployed to the area to guard centres where students are taking their primary and secondary examinations. “Regular” police officers were to be deployed days later, but that has not yet occurred, as sources indicate. Meanwhile, witnesses say, the army remains in charge.
Displaced persons in Kassab camp near Kutum told Radio Dabanga that the situation at the site is “tense”, especially the north of the camp, due to the absence of police forces. They indicated a strong presence of militiamen in the vicinity who “are robbing and beating passers-by”.
They appealed to the government of North Darfur to return police forces to Kutum and Unamid, as well as to intensify its patrols and protect civilians “according to its UN Security Council mandate”.
Last week, Kassab saw a series of attacks against its residents by militia around Wadi Zuma, north of the camp. Sources said gunmen stole seven sheep from a displaced man and they assaulted another group who were collecting firewood. They stole a donkey from Ishaaq Mohamed Ali and the clothes and knife of a man called Yaqoub.
In the same week near Kassab, militants tried to hold up a passenger vehicle carrying several displaced persons. Sources said the driver, anticipating the attack, accelerated and five people were thrown from the truck. They were not seriously injured.
Related:
‘Abu Tira’ replaces armed forces in N Darfur camp- sources (18 March 2013)
After 6 months police force to return to Kutum, North Darfur (12 March 2013)
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