People from Pleebo-Sodokeh District, meanly women, thronged Harper city yesterday in demand for justice. The situation in Harper, Maryland County, is very tense. The demonstrators took over the Harper Cityhall and the Police Station. Most of the county officials were said to be on the run. Barricades were erected at Harper City Hall and Sedekeh on the road linking Harper and Pleebo cities.

Men from various towns in the Pleebo-Sodokeh District are said to have trekked to Harper overnight and joined the demonstration today. Sympathizers of the people of Pleebo-Sodokeh District also joined the demonstration. The only authorities in Harper that the demonstrators are reported to be dealing with are the UNMIL officials.

On Thursday, May 8, the people of Wetchokeh had gone to side-brush the footpath which runs between Wetchokeh and another town called Mnaklenyien when they noticed that they were being closely monitored by men from Rock Town with cutlasses. At the close of the side brushing exercise, the men of Wetchokeh retuned and gathered in the center of town to refresh themselves after the day’s work. Within minutes, the Wetchokeh Mission Town (an outskirt of the main Wetchokeh Town) came under attack by men from Rock Town. Fleeing women and children who had managed their way through the bush to the center of the main town alerted the men of Wetchokeh of the sudden attack. They reported that the attackers burst into homes and made away with valuables and destroyed food crops. The men of Wetchokeh regrouped themselves and went on the scene of the attack. Upon hearing the approaching men, the attackers from Rock Town fled hurriedly with their loots and the two (2) abductees. During the first raid, one of the victims, Mr. Samuel Pulee Williams of Wetchokeh was severely wounded on the back by a cutlass from his attackers, while Mr. Boniface Manneh and Mr. Obadiah Nyeswah were abducted.

Immediately, the Town Chief Nelson S. Neal informed the Superintendent of Maryland County, Hon. Sieh Teba Neufville and the County Chief Police Inspector, Capt. Lyndon Johnson of the incidence in two separate phone calls. Thereafter, an emergency meeting was called by the people of Wetchokeh to discuss the next course of action. Between 6-7 P.M., four vehicles, two (2) from the Liberia National Police and two (2) from UNMIL Police and the Ethiopian contingent arrived in Wetchokeh at about 6:00 P.M. In a brief discussion, the people of Wetchokeh explained to the police and UNMIL what had happened. Thereafter, the Chief Inspector of the Liberia National Police, Lyndon Johnson, alias “One way” requested the turnover of all cutlasses from the people of Wetchokeh amidst pleas from them that security be provided by either UNMIL or LNP in the absence of their cutlasses. This request was denied.

On Friday at about 5 A.M., there was another fierce attack from the people of Rock Town in which a little over thirty (30) men with cutlasses and a few single barrel guns were involved. In the attack, Goffrey Dweh and William M. Walker lost their lives, while Kudu Walker was seriously wounded on the head.

In their position statement presented to the Government on May 14, 2008, they highlighted the following:

• The squatter right given to the Rock town people, which afforded them the opportunity to live on our premises for decades, is hereby nullified
  
  
• As demanded by the people of Pleebo-Sodokeh District, the arm amputated from one of the two people murdered in the barbaric act be produced by the people of Rock town
  
  
• The cutlasses seized from the people of Wetchokeh by the Liberian National Police and UNMIL be returned
  
  
• All the land owned by the Pleebo-Sodokeh District be re-surveyed by the Government
  
  
• A trust fund be set up for the dependents of the victims of the senseless attack be established
  
  
• About two years ago, people from Wilsonville, Grand Kru County encroached on the land of the people of Pleebo-Sodokeh District. The Government of Liberia launched an investigation into the complaint involving UNMIL and officials from both Maryland and Grand Kru counties. The findings of the investigation have not yet been made public. We call on the Government to publish the findings for subsequent enforcement.
  
  

But the people of the district feel that their request has fallen on deaf ears. Though the government sent a fact-finding delegation about a week after the incident was took place, since then, nothing has been done. The people of the district also consider the county superintendent to be bias. His report on the incident submitted to the President through the Ministry of Internal Affairs is said to be a complete defense of kinsmen, the Rocktown people.

Now the people of Pleebo-Sodokeh District have renewed their demands:

The immediate exit of the Rocktown people from the land belonging to Wetchokeh people;



The parts extracted from the persons killed be brought before burial;



The immediate dismissal and subsequent prosecution of the County police Commander, Lyndon Johnson, Samuel W. B. Moore, Local Aide to the President, Harper, Maryland County, Robert Moore, GSA County Coordinator, Harper, Maryland County, G. Wamle Elliott, LRRRC Regional Coordinator, Harper, Maryland County and Jeremiah Collins, Revenue Agent, Harper, Maryland County.



The resignation of the Superintendent of Maryland County.

It can be recalled that due to alleged corruption and lack of vision the Government has been looking for the replacement of the superintendent for the past seven months.

All the agricultural industries in the Maryland County are based in Pleebo-Sodokeh District. Besides, it is the most populated district in the county.

Meanwhile, President Ellen John-Sirleaf, in response to a letter from Mr. George H. Nubo (a prominent son of Pleebo-Sodokeh District) indicated that upon her return - if necessary, she would personally head a team to go to Maryland to get the matter resolved.

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