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BOR - 12 Jun 2019

Student protests turn violent in Bor

Students and police in Bor town in Jonglei state clashed on Wednesday as a protest over alleged poor diet turned violent.

The trouble started this morning when schoolchildren of Royal Junior/High School, gathered to protest against the poor diet and poor learning conditions.

Police forces were called in to disperse the angry students who allegedly started throwing stones at the school buildings.

Ayom Mach Jok, the state minister of education, told Radio Tamazuj that the learners protested over poor diet being offered at the school and lack of teachers for some subjects.

He further said the school was closed indefinitely after the riot.

 “The students decided to protest this morning, complaining that feeding was not enough, and no toilets. They complain that they sleep on the ground and no classes. The police clashed with them during the protest,” he said.

 The education minister said they resolved to send the students home as a probe into the violent protest continues.

Meanwhile, Jonglei’s information minister Atong Kuol Manyang confirmed the riot.

She said a 10-year-old boy was hit by a stray bullet when police officers started shooting in the air during the riot.

Atong added that a high school student was also shot by the police outside the school gate.

Atong, who is also the state government spokesperson, said four police officers were left with injuries following the ensuing stone throwing by the learners.

Atong further said a school building and some textbooks were burnt down by the rioting students.

The school administration could not immediately be reached for comment.

Calls to the police commissioner went unanswered.