Sierra Leone News: Indian National, Two others Detained

By Stephen V. Lansana

One Indian National and two Sierra Leoneans have been detained by the police on Sunday March 17, 2019, following an alleged case of wounding with intent one 33-year-old Bai Kamara at Guard Street east of Freetown, a senior Police official said Monday.

The three suspects include Pankaj Panchal (Indian national) ,Osman Kamara, and Mohamed Kamara are helping the police with the investigation.

When the alarm was raised, it was rumoured that it was an attempted killing for ritual purpose, but this is yet to be proven by the police.

According to the police, the Indian national Pankaj Panchal and the victim Bai Kamara were business partners.

Police said in a statement that, they swiftly responded to a distressed call at Guard Street but were confronted with a situation that first calls for undertaking a rescue mission of an Indian national who was embroiled in the whole incident and his alleged henchmen.

“The rescue mission proved too difficult for the police as the crime scene had attracted a large crowd who were bent on thwarting that effort; calling for revenge. The Police did not succumb to their demand but stoutly and tactically dispersed the angry crowd and successfully undertook the rescue of the suspects,” the police said.

After the rescue mission, the Scene of Crime Officers processed the scene and obtained relevant evidence.

Meanwhile, the victim Bai Kamara who sustained injuries to the head, mouth and complained of general body pain is presently hospitalised and responding to treatment.

Following the incident, the Indian Community in Sierra Leone has condemned the “ungodly incident”.

“We the Members of the Indian Community hereby state that we have been made aware of the gruesome incident that took place at Guard Street by an Indian Citizen and two Sierra Leoneans on Sunday 17th March 2019.”

“We as a Community condemn all forms of violence and would like the public to know that we will support the police in their on-going investigations so that the culprits face the full consequences of the law,” the community said.

“We are law abiding citizens and have lived in peace and harmony with the citizens of Sierra Leone for over 100 years”

The Indian Community said, “We also wish to convey to the victims, their families and friends, our wholehearted support as this situation has equally shocked us and we wish to thank the Sierra Leone Police for their timely intervention in addressing the situation.”

“We ask all to remain calm and let the police do their investigations. We have lived in harmony with the people of Sierra Leone and will continue to do so.”