The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has strongly criticized attempts to politicize the legal proceedings surrounding the violent protest at the Salala Rubber Corporation (SRC) in Weala, Margibi County, which occurred on June 27, 2024.
The CSNL has rejected claims that businessman Mr. Upjit Singh Sachdeva, popularly known as Jeety, is behind the prolonged detention of individuals involved in the protest. Instead, the organization has defended Jeety, labeling the allegations as baseless and part of a broader propaganda campaign to tarnish his reputation.
The protest, which took place under the previous ownership of SRC, was marked by violent clashes and the destruction of property, posing a significant threat to national security.
Despite the protest occurring several months before Mr. Jeety’s acquisition of the corporation, recent accusations have linked him to the legal actions taken against the alleged leaders of the protest, including Madam Mary P. Boimah, the former President of the Workers Union, and Lawrence Gorgbor, the former Secretary General.
In a detailed statement, the CSNL clarified that the legal action against the individuals arrested in connection with the protest is being pursued by the Government of Liberia, not Mr. Jetty. “The decision to prosecute Madam Mary Boimah, Lawrence Gorgbor, and others involved in the violent protest is entirely a matter for the Government of Liberia,” said a CSNL statement. “There is no basis for accusing Mr. Jetty of manipulating the legal process or attempting to influence the case against these individuals.”
The CSNL further stressed that the link between Mr. Jetty and the protest-related arrests is entirely false. “Jeety took ownership of the Salala Rubber Corporation after the violent protest had already occurred,” the statement emphasized. “The government’s decision to include the SRC in its legal proceedings is simply due to the fact that it was the corporation that was directly affected by the violent incident, which posed a serious threat to national security.”
The CSNL also pointed out that the wave of accusations against Jeety has largely stemmed from the corporation’s decision not to rehire certain former employees, including Madam Boimah, who were involved in the protest. “Upon taking over the corporation, Jeety made the decision to initiate a new recruitment process based on a merit system,” the CSNL explained. “All former employees were paid off, and the new management had the discretion to hire or not hire anyone. This decision was based on the corporation’s new policies and was made independently of any ongoing legal proceedings.”
The CSNL stressed that it is both illogical and unfair to hold Mr. Jeety accountable for actions taken by the court. “The court is pursuing the case against Madam Boimah and others for their alleged role in the protest,” the statement continued. “It is foolhardy to suggest that Mr. Jeety is somehow responsible for the court’s actions, especially when he had no involvement in the protest itself.”
While the CSNL has condemned unlawful imprisonment and stressed the importance of due process, the organization also highlighted the violent history of some of the individuals involved in the protest. “Madam Mary Boimah has been at the center of violence in the past,” the CSNL noted. “She was also the ringleader of the violent protest that led to the burning of the Liberia National Police station and the Magisterial Court in Kakata, Margibi County, several years ago. This history is crucial to understanding the current legal proceedings.”
The CSNL urged the public to refrain from politicizing the situation and undermining the reputation of investors like Mr. Jeety. “Attempts to shift blame and besmear the reputation of investors in Liberia threaten national security and economic stability,” the CSNL warned. “These actions have the potential to scare away future investors, which would be detrimental to the country’s growth.”
In conclusion, the CSNL called for a focus on the greater good of the nation and urged Liberians to allow justice to take its course without resorting to false accusations. “We urge all Liberians to prioritize national unity and work together to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for our country,” the CSNL concluded.
