One person has been slapped with a three year jail sentence for breaking curfew hours in Bawku in the Upper East Region. Ayimbila Bashiru pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced on his own plea by a Bolgatanga circuit court presided over by William Boampong. The Bawku township and its environs have a 4:00pm-6:00am curfew imposed by the Interior Minister Martin Hamidu to reduce, if not prevent, the violence between the Kusasis and the Mamprusis from escalating. According to the prosecution, Bashiru was arrested on 11th April, 2010 at 11:20 pm loitering in the Bawku township and was picked up by the police who were on patrol. He was charged and subsequently convicted with a three year jail sentence in hard labour to act as a deterrent to the youth in the area who have gained notoriety for their ruthlessness and lawlessness. But a security expert, Dr Kwasi Annin in an interview with Joy News said the court’s verdict may be too harsh depending on the circumstances of the arrest. “Was he arrested holding a gun?” he quizzed, fearing the decision by the court may lead to radicalism in the area. He opined the “sentencing must commensurate to the crime committed.” But the Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Wayongo believes the court’s verdict is okay and would act as a deterrent to others. He said there is always a provision for the convicted person to appeal the decision if he felt the verdict is too harsh. Story by Nathan Gadugah/myjoyonline.com/Ghana