By Tabora Bojang
Police spokesperson ASP Lamin Njie yesterday confirmed to The Standard that a 19-year-old has been killed during violent clashes on caste differences involving two Serahule clans in Garawol Village, Kantora District in Upper River Region.
The deceased identified as Haji Yamu, was stabbed to death during a fight that broke out on Wednesday at a funeral event.
Three people are currently under police custody in connection with the killing of the teenager with the principal suspect, one Bilal Conteh, 21, still at large.
According to PRO Njie, the confrontation was triggered by an incendiary remark by an ‘unidentified’ man at the funeral grounds that the deceased, whose remains were about to be committed to the soil, belonged to a “slave” caste.
“These comments did not get down well with the families of the deceased who were present at the ground. The situation then ensued in heated argument which degenerated into a fight during which Haji was stabbed,” the police spokesman said.
Tensions have periodically flared in Serahule and other rural communities in The Gambia about the caste system.
PRO Njie urged the public to remain vigilant and help the police in the search for runaway suspect who is currently on top of the police most wanted list.
He further urged the public to remain calm and maintain the peace in their communities while investigations continue.
