<A HREF="http://allafrica.com/publishers.html?passed_name=The%20Independent&passed_location=Banjul">The Independent</A> (Banjul)

November 17, 2003
Posted to the web November 17, 2003

Alieu Darboe
Banjul

The Immigration Reinforcement Unit, last week rounded up over two hundred and
twenty cattle dealers in Brikama, Abuko, Jeshwang and surrounding areas as
part of the no nonsense drive of President Jammeh's Operation No Compromise.

According to reports the mass arrest was linked to the current meat shortage
in markets, although no official reason was advanced for the clean sweep.

In one major police operation in Brikama twenty two people were arrested
together with one of their heads, Karali Sillah, who at the time of the arrest
professed no knowledge of the reason for his detention. According to sources,
those arrested were taken to Bakau and Serrekunda police station. They said the
campaign to force down prices of commodities, which include meat was being
blamed for the general shortage. Meat dealers have been accused of creating an
"artificial shortage" in meat.

However, meat sellers have protested against Operation No Compromise since
they buy cattle at high price but forced to sell them at low price.

An insider at the Brikama livestock market confirmed the story noting that
those arrested were forced to thumbprint on statements they barely understood.
Butchers argued that the government's handling of the country's economic crisis
was to blame for the situation and not their natural reaction to the price
uncertainties.

Butchers who are still free to give vent to their thoughts condemned the
arrest of their counterparts and urged the government to released them.

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A 75-year-old man also told our reporter that if the government was
interested in controlling prices, they should institute a Price Control Act in order to
arrest the situation. "This so-called Operation No Compromise means
harassment for innocent citizens" he claimed.

Up to press time the arrested people were in police custody in different
police stations within the Greater Banjul Area.An insider at the reinforcement
unit also confirmed the arrest but refused to give further details.

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