17 farmers, all villagers of Kuwonkunding in the Wuli West District of the URR, were on Saturday 24th November 2012, in the Morning arrested and detained at the Basse Police Station up to Sunday 25th November. They were subsequently given police bail.

However, 4 farmers among the lot were remanded at Janjangbureh Prison and they are Salifu Barrow, Alagi Samba Touray, Almameh Touray and Mamudou Touray, an elderly man.

According to information, all the 13 arrested youth were given bail at the Basse Police Station on Monday, the 25th.

The Commissioner of the Basse Police Mr. Ousman Jatta confirmed the story and also confirmed that 4 of those who were arrested are now remanded at the Janjangbureh Prison. He was quick to refer this reporter to the Basse Police PRO, Mr. David Kujabi who also confirmed the story of the 4 remanded villagers.

When asked why they are being remanded instead of taking them before a law court since the 72 hours deadline had expired, PRO David Kujabi said he would not comment on that.

This reporter is reliably informed that the cause of the problem involves a crop farmer and a cattle owner; that the problem of cattle destroying farm lands have been a long standing problem between the two sister villages; that the matter has reached the District Chief but it has not been fully resolved.

EDITOR'S NOTE-PROs should protect the image of their department. They are supposed to report any queries of violation of the law to the inspector general of police and come back to the media to report on remedies. No one should be detained without trial for more than 72 hours. Foroyaa will contact the PRO again to find out whether the detainees are released on bail or taken before the court.