Protesting Wounded heroes at Finance ministry flee from live bullets| Photo| Courtesy.

Police on Wednesday morning fired into the air to disperse a group of protesting wounded soldiers who gathered outside the Finance Ministry premises in Juba to demand for their dues.

National government Spokesperson Michael Makuei whose office is adjacent to the Ministry of Finance, stated that there were no injuries from the police action toward the protesting soldiers.

While sited in his office, Mr. Makuei  said ” I was just surprised to hear the shooting. I am in the neighborhood of the Ministry of Finance, and when the clashes happened, they occurred right here in front of my ministry.

He who described the incident as a common occurrence added that “the wounded heroes have been doing this all the time, making demands to the Ministry of Finance instead of going to the Ministry of Defense.”

The minister advised that the wounded soldiers direct their grievance to the Directorate of Wounded Heroes and Heroines, which is responsible for them.

“Whatever they need is supposed to be brought by the directorate to the Ministry of Finance; it is not for them as individuals to come and follow up on things.”

An Eyewitness who spoke to Eye Radio via WhatsApp gave an account of how the clashes transpired:

“I was in my office just a few minutes ago when I heard a loud commotion outside. When I went to investigate, I saw a large crowd.

“Upon inquiry, I learned they were wounded soldiers or a similar group. A few minutes later, police were brought in to disperse the gathering due to overcrowding.

“As they were not allowing people to enter the Ministry of Finance, shortly after, the situation escalated, and with the police becoming forceful, and an exchange of stones ensued between them and the wounded soldiers.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the SSPDF confirmed that the wounded soldiers had gone to the Ministry of Finance and Planning to present a petition to demand for medical allowances.

“What had happened this [Wendnesday] morning, it was that representatives from wounded heroes went up to the ministry finance to go and present a petition on the need for their medical allowance to be released,’ he said.

Major General Lul Ruai says the leadership would work to expedite the release of their medical allowances to enable them to access the necessary medical treatment.

“That was the reason, and the leadership at the ministry and government in general assured or reassured them they will work around the clock so that their medical allowances are released for them to go for medical treatment.”

General Lul said the situation is now calm as the protestors left back to their places.