from the BBC



              Monday, 10 April, 2000, 20:41 GMT 21:41 UK
              Six killed in Gambia
              clashes

              At least six people, including a Red Cross
              volunteer, have been killed when police broke
              up student protests in Gambia.

              The protests began as a march against alleged
              police mistreatment of students but suddenly
              degenerated into violent clashes in the capital,
              Banjul, between the security forces and young
              people.

              Red Cross officials in Gambia said volunteer
              worker, Umar Barrow, was shot by armed
              police who had entered the headquarters of
              the charity.

              The officials said Mr Barrow was wearing Red
              Cross insignia when he was shot and that they
              had protested to the authorities about the
              behavior of the security forces.

              The circumstances surrounding the other
              deaths are less clear, but medical personnel
              said many people have bullet wounds. At least
              one police officer was badly injured.

              Rape protest

              The student demonstrations began with
              protests about the alleged rape of a woman
              student and the alleged torture of a young
              man by the security forces.

              Students announced plans for the
              demonstration at the weekend, claiming that
              the Gambian Government had not responded
              adequately to the events.

              According to witness reports, students set
              tyres alight, ransacked government offices and
              burned vehicles. A police station, post office
              and buildings belonging to state television and
              the independent electoral commission were
              badly damaged.

              The authorities have now ordered all schools
              and colleges to close, and said that armed
              soldiers will ensure order on the streets.

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