Protests continue in Khartoum suburb over land expropriation
May 21, 2016 (KHARTOUM)- Sudanese police used tear gas for a third consecutive day on Saturday to disperse demonstrators who protest plans to remove artisanal brick factory in Al-Geraif-Sharg suburb of Khartoum State
The protests started on Thursday when people took to the street to protest the state’s authority move to eradicate brick factories owned by residents in the area. The demonstrators set fire to tyres in the streets before they were dispersed by the police.
Police source told Sudan Tribune on Saturday that the removal process has been taking place for three days, but residents resist the removal of the factory.
“They have been trying in the past days to prevent the removal process, demanding the removal of “ Um-dom” area factories after their own manufactures”, he added.
The source has affirmed that the police are at full alert to complete the removal process as required.
He has accused some political parties of igniting the spirit of enmity between the local population and the police, saying “the people of the area were compensated twice but those who have (political) agendas tried to make use and police the situation”.
The opposition Sudanese Congress Party (SCoP)said in a statement on Thursday that the police have used tear gas and live bullets to disperse the crowds and two people were injured.
“A lady from the area has died of tear gas suffocation”, the SCoP further claimed.
Residents of “East Nile” County in Khartoum State have been organizing sporadic demonstration for more than a year to protest the “land grabbing of their properties” .
A young man known as” Ahmed Obeid” was shot dead during an angry demonstration in June 2015.
(ST)