Agroup of charcoal traders from Kamuzu Road Trading Centre in Salima of Friday engaged in running battles with the Police and Department of Forestry officials over burning and selling of charcoal. Salima Police Public Relations officer, Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe said one police officer was injured in the scuffle. “Police Officers working together with forestry officers conducted a raid at the illegal charcoal market, where they met some resistance from some of the charcoal vendors,” Chitowe said.
He added that the charcoal vendors used weapons to attack the police officers and the Department of Forestry officers. The police are yet to arrest the suspect attackers. “We have not arrested any one as of now as the suspects are on the run. But we will bring the culprits to book because it is against the law to attack law enforcers on duty,” he said
Salima District Forestry Officer, Adam Jason said the action by the charcoal vendors would stop his office from continuing apprehending charcoal vendors. “Usually, we conduct three raids every month as a way of discouraging people from burning charcoal. This effort is bearing fruits and we will not stop even if the face of resistance.” Jason said. According to the forestry office, burning charcoal in Salima is common in the hilly areas of Traditional Authorities Kwambiri. Khombedza and Mwanza.