APRC and Opposition supporters clash in Farafenni The UDP led coalition presidential campaign team for the October 18th polls met resistant supporters of the APRC at the gate to the compound of the chief of Upper Baddibu, Sambujang Jagne in Farafenni on Wednesday. According to an eyewitness the youth wing of the APRC were on full alert armed with cutlasses and stones and other local weapons in what was described as a planned revenge against the UDP for smashing Baba Jobe's vehicle last weekend. As the youth wingers started to cast stones at the UDP caravan, the opposition responded sharply forcing the youth wingers to take to their heels. The area, which is very close to the central market turned chaotic as people ran helter skelter to all directions for their dear lives. Although the police were present during the skirmish, according to sources, yet little was done by them to prevent the violence for the missiles war continued for more than 20 minutes which resulted in the smashing of two vehicles with registration numbers BJL 4213 and BJL5133 that were packed beside the chief's gate. A police vehicle with registration number (GPF 7 FFN) was also on the scene .It was after about 30 minutes that armed soldiers stormed the scene and according to impeachable source, the leader of the army team ordered his men to fire at the leg of any person seen casting stones. But by that time many people were already injured. A police officer at the scene that was contacted for possible comment ran away and as this reporter ran after him, he shouted at him to stop going after him because he was not going to talk to the press. APRC accused of vote-buying As Election Day draws near, signs of desperation by political parties to gain public support are becoming visible everywhere with sporadic reports suggesting that the ruling party has been sending its agents to buy off votes destined for the opposition. Reports reaching The Independent indicate that some people around the Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC) area are buying voters cards from prospective voters. Those who were approached recently by certain elements who claimed to be working for the ruling APRC party said the men requested to buy their voters cards. They said such APRC party agents usually approach holders of voters cards in the evening and at night, sometimes after "Maghrib" prayers canvassing for support and votes. Sources say the card buyers approached many landlords and jobless youths offering to buy their voter cards for between D150 to D200. Many who were annoyed by this situation told The Independent that despite it being against the IEC's rules and regulations, such practice still continues. As APRC and UDP stalwarts clash Opposition elements arrested in Kembujeh About seven supporters of the opposition coalition were on Wednesday arrested and detained at the Brikama Police Station for allegedly taking part in Tuesday's clash between the APRC and opposition members at Kembujeh. Among those arrested are Abu Bojang, son of late chief Sanjali Bojang, Fatou Butu Bojang and her daughter, Sonko Sanneh, Binta Jabang, Filijay Jammeh and a daughter of Shyngle Nyassi. Officers of the Brikama police station were on Wednesday afternoon led into the village by one Makutu Bojang, a daughter of the Kombo central chief, Bakary Santang Bojang, to arrest the coalition supporters. This latest arrest followed on the heels of a violent clash between militants of the two parties at Kembujeh during which five APRC supporters were injured. Sources close to the village alleged that while a convoy of coalition supporters was on its way to Kombo East, APRC members who were at the time holding a meeting at the roadside in Kembujeh, started throwing stones at them. Sources intimated that the coalition militants disembarked from their vehicles and advanced towards their alleged attackers. The APRC militants who were injured went to Brikama police to lodge their complaints before going to the health centre. Meanwhile, hundreds of opposition activists converged at the Brikama police station while the detainees were recording their statements. At the time of going to press, none of the militants was granted bail. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------