Fallout of Lawyers/teachers strike:

SDO bans sale of newspapers in K’ba

By Johnson Batuo

As the Anglophone teachers and common Law Lawyers strike action gathers steam, the Meme Administration has banned the sale of newspapers in Kumba, The Median has gathered.  The decision was taken on the occasion of a security meeting that took place on Thursday 24 November 2016.

                The move is a security measure intended to forestall mob actions in Meme division. It should be noted that the main newspaper kiosk in Buea Road Kumba has become the converging point for all persons seeking more information about recent happenings in the country. Commercial motorcycle riders, taxi-cab drivers, farmers, civil servants, security men, SCNC activists etc usually converge in front of the kiosk to read the headlines of recent publications. It is understood that the crowds in front of the kiosk has grown geometrically ever since the lawyers strike began.

                It is as well understood that the security hierarchy fears that the kiosk could easily become a starting point for street protests in Kumba.

                It should be noted that since last Monday when the teachers started their strike action, bike riders have been converging at the newspaper kiosks to get more information on the strike.  As the strike progressed these okada men went to schools and threatened Anglophone teachers who had refused to adhere to the strike call.

                When we contacted Calvin, the main news vendor at Buea road, Kumba, on Friday 25 November, he said the decision not to sell newspapers was the outcome of the security meeting that took place at the S.D.Os office on Thursday 24 November. He however said that the decision did not ban the sale of newspapers but rather instructed owners of kiosks to prevent people gathering in front of their kiosks.

                Calvin explained that it is for this reason that he no longer displays newspapers in front of his kiosk. He said people who want to buy newspapers should come inside the kiosk and get the papers.

                Though the newspapers are not displayed outside, readers are served indoors.