The 22 Madina residents who were arrested by the police on Monday for their roles in violent incidents in the vicinity have been put before court. They have been charged for conspiracy to commit crime, unlawful assembly and causing damage and assault on public officers, Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Cephas Arthur has confirmed. The suspects were protesting the sale of a portion of land in the vicinity to a school - the Faith Baptist Community School Complex. They claim the land is the only public space used by residents for religious, economic, political, and sporting activities. The residents were alleged to have charged on the purported owners of the property when they [owners] attempted to evict people on the property. They hurled stones at the school, destroying louvre blades and other items in the process; the police who came to restore order were also reported to have suffered some injuries. The police were said to have fired tear gas, rubber and live bullets to disperse the angry rioters, the residents allege. DSP Arthur told Joy News’ Israel Laryea the police are conducting investigations into allegations that the police used live ammunition in dispersing the crowd. He said he is in no position to confirm whether live bullets were used by the police but said the allegation is a “contentious case”- one, the police take serious view of. He said the police will not hesitate to inform the public on the outcome of the investigation once it is completed. Calm has returned to Madina but the police PRO said, the police will maintain security presence in the area. Joy News reporter Beatrice Adu who is on the Madina beat said everything is moving on well, a day after the violent incidents, but some residents claim economic activity has reduced. The reporter said two of the residents showed her what appeared to be severe leg wounds they claim were the consequence of the police’s firing of living bullets. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com