The Eastern Regional Police Command has arrested about 10 people in connection with violent clashes between students of Mount Sinai Senior High School (SHS) and Okuapeman SHS, with investigations ongoing to identify and deal with other students allegedly involved in the incident.
Speaking to Isaac Addae on Morning Starr on Starr FM, Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Owusu Bempah, said the police have interrogated those arrested and have also obtained the names of several other people believed to have been involved in the violence.
He said the ages of some of the suspects are yet to be established because some students do not provide their correct ages when arrested.
“So far, we have arrested about 10. We have interrogated them. But we have names of several people. The ages, they are yet to be established, because sometimes when you arrest these people, they don’t give you their correct age.”
DCOP Owusu Bempah said the police will work with the school authorities to establish the correct ages of the students before determining the appropriate action to take.
“So we have to go to the school authority and get only the oldest so that we get their rightful ages.”
He said the age of the students will be considered in determining how those found to have been involved in the violence will be dealt with.
The Eastern Regional Police Commander said authorities are considering prosecution and reformative measures for students involved in the clashes, particularly those who are old enough to be prosecuted.
“Those who are of age and can be prosecuted or deported. If you claim to be a criminal, they are processing to deal with criminals.”
He cautioned against simply sending students involved in violent acts home without appropriate consequences, arguing that this could encourage others to engage in similar behaviour.
“Because if you decide to say that, ‘Oh, you are given an absolute, you’re not prosecuted, you’re not sentenced, you’re deported home,’ then you have it there. Then everybody will encourage you to, after all, you have a kid from whatever age, and you will not do anything to him, so I can do whatever.”
DCOP Owusu Bempah said the police are therefore assessing the circumstances surrounding the incident and the ages of those involved before deciding on the appropriate action.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayeson
