By Taban Henry
The Jonglei Civil Society Network (JCSN) on Thursday reported that the three detained members of the Workers Trade Union arrested last week in Bor amid civil servants strike over salaries’ arrears have gone missing in the police custody.
Earlier last week, police in Jonglei State, Bor confirmed the arrest and detention of Chairperson of State Workers Trade Union, the secretary general and the chairperson of teachers union who were allegedly arrested for spearheading peaceful civil servants demonstrations in Bor, demanding for their salary arrears.
The Civil Society Network in Jonglei called for immediate release of the three members of Workers Trade Union who were arrested for allegedly staging protest over unpaid five months’ salary arrears.
According to the press statement seen by No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, the Jonglei State Civil Society Network stated that they have learned the disappearance of the leaders of the Workers Trade Union from the police detention.
“We have learned with serious concerns the disappearances of the leaders of the workers union from the police detention. The three were arrested on the 12th of August, 2022 during a peaceful demonstration in Bor town. They have been held since then at Bor Central Police without clear legal charges for eight days, today, 18th,”the statement partly read.
The civil society advocacy groups however noted that the police are not clear about the whereabouts of the three detained workers.
“The leadership of Jonglei Civil Society Network would like to reiterate an appeal to the governor of Jonglei State and the Police Commissioner as a matter of urgency to address the public on the disappearance of the civil servants from the police custody. This matter is extremely sensitive and it is imperative that the government comes and answer to the public concern” JCSN appealed in the statement.
Meanwhile, No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper’s efforts to reach the Jonglei State police authorities were not immediately successful by press time.