Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
Stephen Astariko
2 July 2011
At least two Somali refugees were on Thursday evening killed during a clash with the police over demolition of business premises in Dagahley Refugee camp in Dadaab.
More than 12 others were seriously injured in the chaos that lasted for over six hours after the police used live ammunition and teargas to disperse the irate protestors.
The North Eastern deputy PPO Philip Ndolo told The Star on phone that the dead were among a group of protesting youths who were angered by the demolition of make-shift business premises in the area. “The Directorate of Refugees Affairs used bulldozers to flatten the premises on Wednesday night after a notice given to their refugees owners elapsed. The demolition action enraged the owners leading to chaos,” a resident said.
Ndolo said it was unfortunate that lives had been lost and property of unknown value destroyed in the skirmishes.”We are yet to understand why the refugees wanted to set the police station ablaze when in the first place it is not us they had problems with but those who demolished their structures. We sense there is a sinister motive and it is not only about the demolitions,” added the police boss.
Ndolo said the police were forced to use live ammunition after it came apparent that the rowdy youth who overpowered the police were attempting to over-run the police station.
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Original post:
Somali Refugees Killed in Dadaab