Liberia: Gov't Ready to Deploy Troop - to Quash April 12 Protest - Defense Minister Emits Authoritative Vows

No argument that those who lost their lives during the April 14, 1979 and April 12, 1980 melees were victims of bullets fired from the nozzles of rustic guns of ruthless soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia. Dead ones were bundled and buried in mass graves while the injured ones were left to struggle for survival. For the government, the protestors were mere elements of destabilization; for their protestors, their actions were prudently genuine, if not legally blessed, because the nation was being led in a sunken direction. That was several years back, but prevailing circumstances are once again igniting aspirations for an all-out protest, not similar to those that shook the foundation of the nation. The government seems itchy over the protest, contemplating on many options. One of the option is the unleashing of troops on the streets if the 'protestors' don't back off. The New Republic's Agnes Tarr picks up the story.

Defense Minister Brownie Samukai spoke with the full weight of the power vested in him to defend the country and its people in the wake of revolt, insurrection and other acts of insecurity that do not conform with the security norms of the state, pledging absolute action to compel compliance should those behind the planed April 12 demonstration don't see reasons to cut off the demonstration.

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