Court relocation increases tension

The temporary relocation of the Court House to the Sanma Provincial Offices has increased tension between the parties in the current NISCOL case which has in turn prompted both Police and VMF Officers to tighten security on the premises.

According to eye witnesses on the ground, the heavy presence of security personnel on the premises does not help individuals passing through to attend court cases as well as to go to the Sanma Provincial Offices.

Even rural people who go to the Sanma Provincial Offices are understood to have admitted that they are nervous.
A man who wished not to be named said it is not right to build a perimeter round the vicinity to stop the general public from going in to attend to listen because it is of interest to everyone and NISCOL belongs to everyone in the Northern Provinces.

The concerned man said Sanma Province belongs to the People of Sanma and it is urgent that the Government renovate the Court House quickly so that courts can return to their original Offices and not disturb the people of Sanma from going to the Sanma Provincial Offices.

But a spokesperson for the courts said the security does not stop people from entering the Sanma Provincial Headquarters or the Court House. She said it is vital to screen everyone that attends the court sessions for the safety of the public as well as the court staff.
She said the importance of screening was introduced after a defendant was suspected to try to take alleged black magic into the court house to help his friends.

For future reference, the complainant suggested that any similar lengthy court cases should be held in either the Correctional Centre of Police Station in order not to disturb public orderliness in the Sanma Provincial Offices.