MONROVIA, Montserrado – Officers of the Liberian National Police have been accused of opening fire on peaceful coal burners, leading to one person sustaining severe injuries in the Mount Barclay community, outside Monrovia.
Many low-income earners in Liberia engage in coal businesses as a means to support their families. The process of coal mining involves leveling dilapidated rubber trees with chainsaws and cutting them into smaller pieces of wood. The wood is then piled together in the shape of a mound and sand placed around the base. Then a fire is lit in the middle of the pile and left to burn for several days.
The coal business is very lucrative and fast going, but those who engage in it have to spend several days in the bush before it is ready for the market.
According to George Torkpa, leader of the Glazon coal field, the shooting occurred on May 14 by heavily armed officers of the Police Support Unit. Torkpa said the officers arrived at the site in a pickup truck marked PSU-3.
In response, Torkpa and his colleagues stormed the headquarters of the Liberia National Police in demand for justice. The coal burners told The Bush Chicken that the shooting started when they refused to accept the officers’ demand for money.
Torkpa said the harassment from PSU officers is not the first of its kind on the Glazon town coal field. He said the LNP officers have a history of intimidation and accusing the workers of illegally burning and selling coal in the area.
George Torkpa, leader of Glazon town coal field (Photo Zeze Ballah)
Torkpa said that the area was given to them by their leaders to burn coal as a means of survival after dilapidated rubbers trees were cleared to make way for development.
“Majority of the youth in the town are unemployed, and the decision by our leaders is in the right direction to help us survive,†Torkpa said.
He said that the PSU officers previously demanded 100 bags of coal from the coal burners to allow them carry out their business in the area.
Torkpa stated that they instead decided to give the officers USD 295 which is equivalent to the value of the coal they demanded. He added that the PSU officers came online casino back, after receiving the money, indiscriminately throwing tear gas and shooting at them.
Martin Clarke, who was allegedly shot in the leg by a PSU officer, told the Bush Chicken via mobile phone that various makeshift houses on the Glazon coalfield were ransacked and set ablaze with property and money looted.
Glazon coal field (Photo Zeze Ballah)
Clarke added that on many occasions, coal sellers have been harassed and compelled to give money and other valuable items to the officers as a condition for them to carry out regular business.
Unfinished and finished coal on the Glazon field (Photo Zeze Ballah)
The Bush Chicken contacted police spokesperson Sam Collins for comment. He said an investigation has been launched into the matter by the LNP Professional Standards Division and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Sam Collins, Police spokesperson (Photo Zeze Ballah)
The LNP has continually been accused of extorting money by members of the public. The police director, Chris Massaquoi responded to the accusations by asking the public should come forward with evidence.
Featured image courtesy of Zeze Ballah
