Public Security Chief advises youngsters to avoid violent activities

Chief of Public Security Major-General Tariq Hassan Al Hassan has announced that over the past 24 hours there have been several incidents of violent attacks on police officers and citizens, destruction of property and blocking of roads, adding that saboteurs threatened store-owners not to open for business today and erected road blocks in some villages to prevent residents from going to work. He added that the police restored order, cleared roads and ensured smooth traffic in most roads throughout the day. He said that the police dealt with violent crowds according to the law and dispersing them, noting that most incidents involved small groups of rioters who were quickly dispersed before they could amass into larger ones. During some of these dispersals, he also said, several police officers were injured, the wounds of some of them were severe which required taking them to intensive care. The Public Security Chief pointed out that the most violent group amassed at around 8am in the village of Daih where 300 rioters assembled to attack police deployed in the area with rocks, steel rods and Molotov cocktails. He added that violent crowds continued their attack despite warning shots, which required the police officers to defend themselves, indicating that one of the attackers was injured in the process and was later pronounced dead at Salmaniya Medical Complex. Al-Hassan asserted that an immediate investigation into the death of the young man has been launched by the Public Prosecutor in conjunction with the Medical Examiner. He offered his condolences to the family of the deceased. He also seized the opportunity to advise youngsters to avoid taking part in violent street activities and riots, reminding parents of their duty to keep their children stayed away from violent protests and that they should know the whereabouts of their children at all times. In conclusion, the Public Security Chief warned people not to exploit the young man's death for political purposes or as an excuse to engage in criminal or riotous behaviour, calling upon all sides to commit to national unity and cohesion, denounce violence and incitement and preserve national achievements. He also warned that those who exploit the incident for instigation will be held accountable.