The Spokesman of The Gambia Police Force, ASP Lamin Njie has disclosed that the “3 Years Jotna” fundraiser was dispersed by the police on Friday evening due to lack of permit and security to organise the event.
ASP Njie said that the police had received information about the event but the organisers did not apply for a permit and security which they were advised to do so.
“We (police) have received information that they were having a fundraising with either Pa Bobo or Tata Dinding but did not apply a permit or security for the event which they were advised to follow the due process of the law,” ASP Lamin Njie told The Watch Gambia.
According to the Police Spokesman, the organisers had refused to apply till Friday morning when the police noticed that they were arranging chairs at the Semega Janneh Hall without a permit or security which was against the laws.
“They insisted that they would proceed with or without a permit,” he remarks.
He was asked whether the police were not discriminating the “3 year jotna” which he answered in the negative, saying it was a law that can be used on anyone.
There was a standoff between the “3 Years Jotna” fundraising team and the members of the police force yesterday evening at the Semega Janneh Hall. The public reaction was outrageous. Many people took on social media to condemn the actions of the police.
Meanwhile, the “3 Years Jotna” movement has petitioned President Barrow to respect the Coalition Agreement to step down at the expiry of his 3 years term in office. They were embarking on fundraising to organise massive demonstrations if he failed to step down on the 20th January 2020.