Police have reportedly thwarted what could have been a potentially violent protest on Denis Street, Sophia, yesterday morning. The incident, according to a police report, allegedly tied to the recent rejection of a proposed teacher’s salary increase, involved the blockage of the road with about 15 tyres.
Authorities are said to have responded promptly to reports of the obstruction and spotted three men on two motorcycles suspected of placing the tyres after which a brief pursuit ensued, resulting in the capture of one suspect, who is now in police custody.
Police said during a subsequent search of the area, they discovered 16 ‘Flambeaux-lamps/molotov cocktails’’ glass bottles and two gallon-sized containers filled with a suspected flammable substance, believed to be gasoline or diesel. These items, police said, suggest the protest could have escalated into a more dangerous situation.
Police in a statement reporting the incident today said according to sources, it is alleged that teachers in the area had paid the suspects to carry out the act. Investigations are ongoing as police continue to gather evidence and determine the full extent of the planned protest.
