By Burnett Munthali
What started as an attempt by a group of people to stage demonstrations near Lilongwe Community Ground ended in chaos today as police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. The incident not only disrupted the planned protests but also had unintended consequences for nearby institutions, including Lilongwe Primary School.
The tear gas, deployed by police to break up the gathering, wafted into the classrooms of Lilongwe Primary School, which is located near the community ground. Students and teachers were forced to evacuate as the fumes made the environment unbearable. The disruption brought the day’s lessons to an abrupt halt, leaving many parents and educators frustrated.
One teacher at the school described the scene:
“The children were coughing and struggling to breathe. We had no choice but to dismiss classes for their safety.”
The protesters had reportedly gathered to express their grievances on an undisclosed issue. However, police quickly intervened, claiming the demonstrations were unauthorized. The resulting clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators created a tense atmosphere in the area.
A nearby vendor described the chaos:
“We saw people running in all directions, and the air was filled with tear gas. It was frightening.”
The incident has sparked concern among residents about the location of public protests and the methods used to manage them. Parents of affected students are particularly upset, questioning why such events are allowed to occur so close to schools.
One parent lamented:
“Our children go to school to learn, not to be caught in the middle of tear gas and protests. Authorities must find better ways to handle such situations.”
The disruption highlights the need for improved coordination between law enforcement and local communities to prevent such incidents in the future. Stakeholders, including school officials, parents, and civil society groups, are calling for the establishment of protest zones away from schools and residential areas.
While the use of tear gas successfully dispersed the demonstrators, its unintended effects on Lilongwe Primary School have raised serious concerns. As the dust settles, questions linger about how to balance the right to protest with the safety of surrounding communities. It is now up to authorities to address these concerns and ensure that such disruptions do not happen again.
