Chiefs and residents of Manso Keniago in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region have accused personnel of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) of assaulting a traditional leader and firing shots at his vehicle during a confrontation in the community.
The allegations form part of the community’s account of the incident, which differs from NAIMOS’s explanation of the clash that left two of its personnel with gunshot wounds.
NAIMOS earlier said its task force encountered an armed group while transporting excavators seized during an anti-illegal mining operation to another location.
According to the Secretariat, its personnel fired warning shots to deter the group, but two officers sustained gunshot wounds in the process. However, it did not disclose who fired the shots that injured the officers.
The community, however, maintains that the excavator involved in the incident was not seized from Manso Keniago.
In a statement signed by the Krontihene, Nana Boateng, and Youth Representative, Bernard Ntiamoah, the residents said the confrontation started when the chief and some community members questioned why the excavator was being transported through the town on a tarred road.
They explained that their concerns centred on the possibility of the heavy machinery damaging the road.
“Contrary to their statement, the excavator involved was reportedly not seized from Manso Keniago. NAIMOS operatives were transporting the machine through our township along a tarred government road when our chief and some residents questioned the movement over concerns about possible damage to the road,” the chief said in a statement.
The chiefs and residents further alleged that one of their chiefs was physically assaulted and that gunshots were fired at his vehicle.
“Even more disturbing are allegations that our chief was physically assaulted and gunshots were fired at his vehicle,” the statement said.
The community said it supports efforts to tackle illegal mining but condemned what it described as the unlawful use of force against residents.
“We are not against the fight against illegal mining, but we firmly oppose any unlawful use of force against innocent citizens,” the statement added.
The chiefs and residents have called on President John Dramani Mahama, the Inspector-General of Police and other relevant authorities to institute an independent probe into the incident, provide medical care for those injured and ensure that the victims receive justice.
“We therefore call upon His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the Inspector-General of Police and the relevant authorities to immediately launch an independent investigation, provide medical assistance to the injured and ensure justice for the victims,” the statement said.
