After a meeting of a large number of students from the African community with the top brass of the State police in the presence of Tanzanian High Commissioner John W.H. Kigazi and on Friday seemed to have the desired effect as the students ‘postponed’ a scheduled protest on Saturday.
The meeting took place at the Police Commissioner’s office from 7 p.m. and to 10 p.m. Talking to presspersons, Mr. Kigazi said there were positive signs in the response of the police and the State government.
‘Working on a system’
“There are a few points of friction between the students and the local community. These can always be addressed with a proper system, which we are working on to ensure these do not become bigger issues,” he said.
He believes that the students are not ‘negative’ about the local community or the police. “The efforts of the police and the government have made the students believe that their issues would be solved.
"Hence, they postponed the protest,” he said, adding that the assault had tarnished the image of an ‘otherwise beautiful city’.
Director General of Police Om Prakash said ‘minor issues’, including harassment by autorickshaw drivers and shopkeepers, and miscommunication due to a ‘language problem’, were aired by the students.
“We will take short-term measures of investigating the incident and finding out omission and commission by the police. We will also take long-term measures to improve harmony…including community policing,” he said.
Tanzanian envoy believes students not ‘negative’ about local community
or the police
