Arusha bus operators strike continues

More chaos continue to rock Arusha as Town bus operators, their drivers and touts reinforce their strike with attacks on counterparts who refuse to join into the fray.So far about six vehicles have been badly damaged, a couple of people injured while police are reported to have arrested 15 suspects in connection with the riots that have hit Arusha City for two days.Explosives, tear gas canisters and rocks being hurled at the streets have been sending residents fleeing in various directions while many students chose to remain home avoiding the chaos and long distance trekking due to lack of commuter vans.The Arusha Regional Police Commander, Mr Thobias Andengenye said the police force had put the situation under control and so far they have arrested 15 people, mostly youths who were allegedly causing chaos in town.He also listed plate numbers of the damaged vehicles as STK 8196, STK 5282, STK 8260, ATG 9255 and T-270 CDZ all being property of government institutions such as TANROADS, National Bureau of Statistics, and the Regional Commissioner’s office. Others are owned by UN-ICTR staff. The RPC said the arrested suspects will be charged with vandalism of property. As more people get apprehended in connection with town bus strike here, the over 60 commuter vans drivers who had been arrested earlier for various traffic offences refused to disembark from the prison vehicle which was delivering them at the Regional Magistrate Court as part of their own version of protest.Their meeting with Regional Commissioner Mr Isidori Shirima on Monday the operators here are sticking to their guns by refusing to pick up passengers even though the commuter vans are still being driven in the streets with touts hollering at stranded people and the police in town. By Tuesday afternoon the bus drivers had started to gather at the Impala Hotel in Kijenge for a meeting and had even invited the Regional traffic Officer Mr Amir Konja who however refused to attend saying everything was resolved on Monday before the Regional and District Commissioners as well as the regional Police Commander. Daily News