By Regina Benneh, GNA
Sunyani (Bono) April 16, GNA-The Bono Regional Police Command says has begun investigation into the tragic murder of 23-year-old illegal miner at Akontanim in the Dormaa East District of the Region and cautioned the youth in the area against acts of lawlessness.
A statement issued, and signed by Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the Public Relations Officer of the Bono Regional Police administration explained that some residents found the lifeless body Kwabena Agyei with mud smeared on his face at an illegal mining site.
The death of the young man sparked a-two-day violent protests in the area with some illegal miners blocking roads obstructing vehicular movements, a copy of the statement made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) indicated.
It explained that the police received a complaint on Monday, April 13, around 1800 hours from Mr Bismark Ofori, the Area Council chairman of Akontanim about the discovery of the lifeless body at the outskirt of Akontanim around 1630 hours and brought it to the Akontanim’s chief palace.
The police then proceeded to the place and found the body lying in a supine position and covered a white bedsheet, saying that the deceased was wearing black shorts and had visible marks of assault on his chest and back.
It added that preliminary investigations indicated that Agyei and others were engaging in illegal mining when they were allegedly confronted by a team from the Dormaa Traditional Area Anti-Galamsey Taskforce which led to his death.
The incident triggered unrest later that evening when around 1900 hours on April 13 a group of about 70 people believed to be illegal miners blocked the main road at Kyeremasu on the Dormaa-Ahenkro–Berekum highway.
It said the protesters burned car tyres, attacked and pelted stones at the two police vehicles with registration numbers GP 390 and GP 3566, saying that police and military reinforcements were able to clear the road and restore traffic.
The protesters resumed again in the early hours of Tuesday April 14 where about 400 people blocked the Berekum-Dormaa road; however security teams intervened and cleared the obstruction.
It said the body had since been deposited at the Dormaa-Ahenkro Presbyterian Hospital morgue for preservation, identification, and autopsy, saying that investigations were ongoing to arrest the perpetrators.
The statement cautioned the public against acts of lawlessness and violent behaviours that could jeopardize the prevailing peace of the area, assuring that efforts were underway to apprehend and bring the perpetrators to book.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Kenneth Odeng Adade