The Member of Parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu has condemned the intrusion of the Palace of Lamashe Naa by the Police Service when they sought to arrest a resident on February 13.

According to Mr Iddrisu, Lamashe Naa is one of the respected chiefs of Tamale and Dagbon, therefore, he should have been given more reverence.

On Sunday, a young man who was pursued by the Police in an attempt to evade arrest dashed into the Lamashe Naa’s Palace.

This, however, did not prevent the Police as they are alleged to have stormed into Lamashe Naa’s Palace to make the arrest. The Service's action was not welcomed as the youth of Lamashegu clashed with the police.

The youth pelted stones whiles the Police in turn fired gunshots to disperse the crowd. This resulted in the death of an 18-year-old man whiles seven others sustained injuries.

According to Haruna Iddrisu, who is also the Minority Leader, "storming his (Lamashe Naa's) palace for such a reason and in such a manner amounts to indiscretion and disrespect for our time-tested traditions and norms."

In a press statement, he indicated that the Police could have exercised restraint since places of worship and palaces of traditional rulers have served as a refuge for individuals under pursuit for any offence or reason.

"When a suspected culprit under pursuit flees to a chief’s palace, natural wisdom should instruct that such a person is running for protection."

Again, the Tamale South MP has condemned the use of excessive force by the Police Service. He noted that there is a surge in the use of force by the Police in Tamale Metropolis whenever tension mounts.

He stressed that the tension observed did not warrant the excessive force used by the Service to restore calmness.

"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. However, the recurrent acts of attack on the inhabitants of Tamale, through the use of live ammunition by the Police to quell disturbances that results in loss of lives and injury to innocent bystanders is unacceptable and is to be denounced."

"This, unfortunately, appears to be a growing trend, the third time in two years in the Tamale Metropolis. 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 stated.