By Hou Akot Hou
Police authorities in Aweil Town, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, detained a number of young men and ladies on Wednesday for wearing earrings and dreadlocks. The youths allege they were not informed about the ban.
Pick-up trucks carrying police and security forces reportedly raided markets and business areas on Wednesday morning, targeting youths with earrings and dreadlocks.
An eyewitness, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the officers claimed to be following orders from the Inspector General of Police, Gen. Atem Marol Biar.
The witness alleged that over 100 young men were detained, and some were punched for refusing to cooperate.
“They were shoved roughly into vehicles already full of officers,” the source said. “The youths looked unhappy and confused about the accusations.”
The eyewitness added, “Some of these young men appear to be returnees who might not be aware of the new rules on clothing and hairstyles.”
Efforts to reach state authorities for comment on the crackdown were unsuccessful. The state Minister of Information referred the outlet to the police authorities, whose spokesperson was reportedly out of the country.
The detentions have sparked dismay among the youths, who claim they were not informed about the specific clothing and jewelry restrictions, beyond a previous announcement earlier this year.