Saturday morning, an unfortunate event shook the town of Ankazomiriotra. Around 9 a.m., an angry crowd stormed the local gendarmerie brigade. Crying revenge and injustice, the attackers forced the gate while setting fire to those they encountered. Five motorcycles and a gendarmerie car were set on fire. The demonstrators, after entering, also vandalized the gendarmerie office.
Fatal arrest. According to information, these individuals acted in reaction to the death of an alleged bandit, killed by the gendarmerie in the fokontany of Ivory, commune of Vinany, still in the district of Mandoto, a few hours before the incident. The alleged bandit, named Bacome, was the subject of an arrest warrant. Three gendarmes accompanied by two mobile units went to the suspect’s home around 5 a.m. to execute this court order. Refusing to cooperate, the individual attempted to resist his arrest, causing an altercation during which he was fatally injured despite efforts to save him.
Innocent. The family and relatives claiming the innocence of the deceased man rose up by showing their anger and going to Ankazomiriotra from Irondro. Around fifty people gathered in front of the gendarmerie brigade, rallied by excited onlookers. Faced with the large number of demonstrators, the six members of the unit were forced to withdraw, leading to the continuation of events.
Opening of investigation. Despite everything, this matter must be investigated. Describing Saturday’s event as a rebellion, regional governor Vakinankaratra has already announced that “This act against the gendarmerie barracks must not go unpunished, whatever the motive.” On this subject, the commander of the Mandoto gendarmerie company said yesterday that several people have already been arrested for the investigation. A meeting led by the Minister Delegate of the Gendarmerie took place in the locality to rule on this matter. We await the continuation of events.
T.M.
