High security checks in Bahir Dar

ESAT News   November 1, 2013

Special high security checks have been underway for the past four days in Bahir Dar city. According to ESAT’s reporter, the cause for the random and unusual checking is unknown. Especially, yesterday, passengers have been forced to leave their vehicles and undergo security checks in the entrance and exit posts of the City’s doors.

Some residents say the government has been spreading rumours saying that “anti-peace elements” have entered the city while others say it was an attempt of causing fear among the residents. There are also people who are commenting that a similar kind of “concocted explosion” could occur in the city like those that took place in Bole Sub City, Addis Abeba, few weeks ago.

The residents also state that Federal Police officers are harassing them during the checking process. ESAT’s efforts to speak to the regional police officials were unsuccessful.

Speaking with regards to the recent explosion in Addis Abeba, Yihdego Seyoum, Commissioner of the Addis Abeba Police, had said that the Ethiopian government had no reason to joke and do a drama on its citizens.

The Commissioner also criticised politicians who say the explosion was “concocted”.

Recent leaks by Wikileaks revealed that the American Embassy in Addis Abeba believed that the Ethiopian government deliberately coordinated terror attacks.

Meanwhile, a Bajaj driver has been viciously killed in Bahir Dar city. The eyes of the victim, who is a resident of Kebele 7, were gouged out and he was severely attacked when he was found days after his death. The City’s Police Commission has not spoken out regarding the death so far.