Continuation of the protest movement in Oum Larayes

Clashes between security forces and youth groups in the city of Oum larayes (governorate of Gafsa) continued until 19:00, Saturday after the announcement of competition results in recruitment of agents performance for the district of Gafsa Phosphate company in the area.

Clashes have worsened, with the installation of dams by the protest action on several main roads and in the city streets, blocking the two entrances to the town of Oum larayes towards Redayef and towards the Algerian border, this has almost completely paralyzed traffic. Demonstrators also attacked the local law enforcement by stone throwing.

The internal security forces have used tear gas and used two armored vehicles of the National Guard to disperse the demonstrators, while clashes were concentrated near two police stations, the National Guard and local border guards in the city center, as well as from the washing unit where significant phosphate and military security forces were deployed.

In addition, two youths attempted suicide because their names were not on the list of recruited in November 2011 and they were not admitted after either the review results.

Youth in the town of Oum Larayes protest against their failure in this contest, after review of the results that were announced in end November 2011 that had led then to a protest, violence and arson, and to the suspension of the results.

The competition was organized for the recruitment of 605 enforcement officers to work in units of extraction and production of phosphate of Oum Larayes and other coalfield sites. Many among the 183 candidates whose names exist on the lists of admitted last November have been replaced by others at the announcement of new results, which exacerbated the tension in the city.

Posted in: Tunisia