Late at night, police had to use tear gas in front of the central barracks around 11 o’clock in the evening. The arrest of Dominique Seedeeal aka Darren the Activist late Friday afternoon, April 22, is making headlines and causing a lot of tension across the country.
His arrest carries with it a barrage of accusations of police brutality, conspiracy and injustice, but also an unwavering support from the angry Mauritian population and politicians from all sides. His supporters, demanding his release, were still on foot outside the Line Barracks until very late. Several armed units of the MPF, including the SSU, remained on the scene to control the night of tension. The aim was to avoid a February 1999 scenario! The Prime Minister had to intervene from India.
Arrest of the Activist
His arrest follows the organisation of the protest on Wednesday 20 April at Camp Levieux which took on a serious tone in the same afternoon. At around 2.30pm, accompanied by his lawyer Akil Bissessur, the 32-year-old went to the police station to lodge a ‘precautionary measure’ stating that he had not ordered the public to follow him in exercising his constitutional right to protest against the recent rise in commodity prices. He warned the officers that he intended to continue the protest in front of the police station and in the streets of Camp Levieux. He had issued an ultimatum to the government with a deadline of 3pm this Friday to bring down the recent price hikes including household gas, fuel and food. And that deadline has passed.
Darren beaten up
He was arrested only a short time after he had started shouting his demands. He was accompanied by a large crowd Dominique Seedeeal or Darren the Social Networking Activist was arrested by officers at Camp Levieux on charges of organising an illegal demonstration on Wednesday. He was taken to Rose Hill police station for questioning but due to the crowd that gathered and fearing that the situation would turn sour, Rose Hill police preferred to refer the case to the CCID at Central Barracks. His transfer was carried out under heavy police escort.
A panel of lawyers on duty
Mr Akil Bissessur, in front of the press, revealed that he wanted to know the exact reasons behind the arrest of his client. He said that in full view of those present, his client was beaten by the police, his nose was bleeding and his clothes were stained with blood.
Lawyer Shakil Mohammed believes that this investigation could have started on Monday. He makes it clear that “the intention was not simply to question Darren the Activist. The police have already tried his case. He will appear before the magistrate on Saturday at the Port Louis Magistrates’ Court. The police have objected to bail. Legally there is no reason behind this objection on Friday. His arrest was made by a group of police officers known for their modus operandi. Shakeel Mohammed said that the police would accompany Dominique Seedeeal to hospital for treatment. Without any political allusion or politicisation of the case, Shakeel Mohammed, putting on his ‘Rabat’ rather than his PTr red tie, announced, “the government of Pravind Jugnauth is seen as the adverse party in this case”. Darren was also assisted by Mr. Neelkant Dulloo, Mr. Akil Bissessur and Mr. Rama Valayden who tried in vain to plead for his release.
Hostilities at Line Barracks
The crowd was hostile in front of the Line Barracks until late evening, even throwing projectiles at the officers of the Special Support Unit. There was widespread confusion as to why the police did not release the activist. Carrying placards and shouting at the top of their voices, the message is “Release Darren”. SSU officers, shields and batons in hand, stood guard and prevented the protesters from entering the Line Barracks compound. The threat to use tear gas in Port Louis was already communicated. In Camp Levieux, police had to use tear gas and projectiles on the protesters.
Siva Coothen: “avoid a repeat of February 1999”
Inspector Siva Coothen is clear: “Darren will remain in custody at Line Barracks until he appears in court. We cannot tolerate such actions by any citizen or the public. The arrest of Dominique Seedeeal, also known as Darren Activist, follows the organisation of demonstrations that had no peaceful appeal. The procedure was not followed, and the CP office did not receive any requests. They burned wheels, mattresses, wood in the streets. We received information about the presence of projectiles including Molotov cocktails. The comments of the detainee Darren, who does not have a clean record and is known to the police, were inflammatory both in public and on social media and he clearly incited hatred towards the protesters who were hostile towards the police. The role of the police is to maintain order and that is what we are doing. We are working to avoid a riot. We can’t allow a repeat of February 1999. Everyone is affected by the rise in commodities. The solution is not violence or riots”.
PM’s appeal: “I condemn such actions”
Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, on a mission, had to intervene from India, calling for peace. “We have seen such actions in the past, which led to Kaya’s death. The same people who were behind these sad incidents are doing it again today. It is a shame and sad to see this kind of attitude. Some people go against the law. I appeal to the population to draw their own conclusions from this kind of behavior. I condemn such behavior, and the laws must be respected.”
