Douala: rubber bullets injure many during home demolitions
Several Bonadibong inhabitants in the Douala I sub-division have sustained injuries following an altercation with security forces who were ensuring that the demolition of houses go unperturbed on September 29.
“Police elements who were present fired rubber bullets at us in order to disperse the angry locals who were resisting the demolition of their homes” an injured inhabitant explained.
The demolition left many people homeless with no idea where to go with their children.
“These people are heartless. They brutalized us and demolished our houses. They don’t even care what becomes of us. Our Children went to school this morning. Imagine them coming back only to see they no longer have a home. What will they eat? Too bad.” A victim said in frustration.
According to the demolition victims, a certain man has been claiming ownership of the piece of land they constructed their houses on about 50 years ago. They added that the land was sold to the said man without their knowledge.
The surprised demolition according to some victims damaged their belongings. Books, documents and other items exposed were destroyed by the drizzling rain early Thursday.
Some boys who were about leaving for school saw their uniforms torn in the course of resisting the demolition.