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Marrakech, Dec 28: Thirty people were arrested Friday in Marrakech as they participated in an unauthorized demonstration, during which they engaged in acts of violence and vandalism causing casualties among the citizens and the forces of order, says a statement from the Ministry of Interior.
The demonstration took place in Sidi Youssef Ben Ali in Marrakech. The demonstrators threw “stones causing casualties among citizens and forces of order,” the statement said, adding that “the forces of order intervened to disperse the unauthorized demonstration and conducted the arrest of a thirty individuals who have engaged in acts of violence and vandalism.”
The demonstrators protested against high electricity bills, noted the same source.
In this regard, the Ministry of Interior said that since 2011, Marrakech’s Public Company of Water and Electricity (RADEEMA), in coordination with local authorities and in consultation with representatives of citizens concerned, has taken a series of measures “in order to relieve the burden of electricity bills for the benefit of the poorest households.”
The statement explained that these measures bear on granting easy payment terms for 24 months in favor of 16,433 subscribers, sale and installation of more than 50,000 energy-saving lamps, installation of 9,395 supply connections, installation of 21,973 additional counters for individualized consumption of each household and the establishment of a system of receipts verification.
According to the same source, these measures have resulted in a considerable financial impact on RADEEMA’s budget due the accumulation of arrears of more than 100,000,000 MAD of which more than 30,000,000 MAD registered at the agency of Sidi Youssef Ben Ali.
The Interior Ministry said that “the dialogue initiated by RADEEMA with the representatives of the citizens, in coordination with local authorities, remains the appropriate means to resolve contentious cases that would remain pending.”
“The public authorities also reaffirm their determination to carry on their mission of maintaining order in full compliance with the laws in force to ensure the safety of citizens and the protection of their properties,” concludes the statement.