Some demonstrating fishermen have sustained injuries following clashes with the police in Accra.
The fishermen, en masse, headed to the Castle to present a petition to president John Mills over bad fishing practices they claim were threatening their business.
They were however accosted at the Castle junction by the police who insisted only the leaders of the demonstration would proceed to the Castle – an order they resisted.
In the process, tear gas and rubber bullets were fired to disperse the angry fishermen resulting in some injuries.
The injured in an interview with Joy News’ Nana Agyei accused the police of being high-handed.
Police Acting Public Relations Officer DSP Cephas Arthur told Joy News the fishermen refused to abide by rules set out before the demonstration.
According to him it was agreed that the demonstration would start at Mantse Agbonaa and will end at the Independence Square after which only the leaders will be allowed to send the petition to the Castle.
On the contrary, the demonstrators broke loose, running astray towards the Castle, when they got to the independence Square, he narrated.
The police, he explained, had no choice but to apply minimum force to stop the invasion.
“Before anybody could say jack, the crowd has broken helter-skelter running all over in all directions towards the Castle.
“…In no civilized country will the police watch demonstrators invade the Castle,” he said.
“This is a crowd of about 5000 men breaking loose, and running helter-skelter, taking the direction of the Castle, the seat of government,” he stated.
According to him, two police men also sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment at the Police Hospital.
He could not however say if the injury was as a result of direct attacks from the fishermen.
Play the attached audio for excerpts of the interviews
Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
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