The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has called on government to foot the cost of medical treatment of persons affected during a shooting incident between Lamashegu residents and the Police on Sunday, February 13.

He believes this would provide some significant relief to the victims in the interim as investigations continue to unravel the details of the incident.

The Tamale South MP bemoaned what he has described as the recurrent acts of attack on his constituents “through the use of live ammunition by the Police to quell disturbances that result in loss of lives.”

“I have done my widow’s mite in my representational capacity as Member of Parliament for the area, but in the meantime, the state would have to accept responsibility for the urgent medical treatment and attention of those affected,” Mr Iddrisu said in a statement.

He urged the Police to take up the issue and authorise a full-scale probe into it, saying, “this is a matter the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr Akuffo Dampare, must take a keen interest in.”

The MP hinted that he would take the matter ‘strongly’ on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, February 15.

“We do not encourage individuals to resolve grievances by resorting to unrest, though protest, within the ambit of the law, in a responsible manner, is allowed [but] the Police have no right to shoot and kill, except under extraordinary circumstances.”

“I do not see the situation under these circumstances as extraordinary to warrant such reckless and irresponsible use of force,” he said.

The disturbance is reported to have erupted when a young man who was being pursued by the Police dashed into the Lamashe-Naa’s palace to avoid being apprehended by security personnel.

The youth pelted stones at the Police, who fired gunshots to disperse the crowd.

The Tamale Divisional Command has described the incident as unfortunate.

Meanwhile, six police officers have been indicted for their roles in the clash, claiming one life and injuring others.