INSPECTOR GENERAL DESCRIBES POLICE WAR WIDOWS AS UNSERIOUS

April 1, 2004 – (Concord Times - Freetown) Police War Widows Wednesday told Concord Times that Inspector General of Police Brima Acha Kamara described them as, " unserious" before dismissing them because of a demonstration they held which called for benefits due them as a result of the deaths of their husbands during the just concluded decade long civil war.

Speaking to concord Times after the demo, Police War Widows President Eleanor Titi Sesay said, "Acha who was inside (Kingtom Police Mess) came out, read our banners and asked us if we knew what we wanted and whether we have seen the kind of money we are purporting that the international donors gave them for war widows," According to her, it was after this that Acha said in an angry mood, " you are not serious, this is a false allegation. I will not speak to you." Eleanor said, "he went inside his vehicle and drove off," and continued, "we have been asking for our husbands salaries since 2002, but the authorities said they have stopped paying us after having made promises that they would assist us with our children educational welfare." The angry War Widows have threatened to march to President Kabbah if the police fail to address their concerns as, " Acha has deliberately refused to talk to us."

One of the banners read, " our children need quality education, food, shelter and clothing. Pay us our husbands benefits." The widows say the police at Headquarters refused to talk to them and, " "The security guard at the entrance drove us saying we are causing noise".

Senior Assistant Commissioner, Personnel Training and Welfare, Morrie Lengor is said to have asked the widows to see him next Thursday, " so that we could sit down and talk."

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200404010618.html