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The military have taken over security and patrols within the Ho municipality, following clashes between the police and some youth last Sunday. The move is to prevent potential assault on the police as threatened by irate youth of Anlokordzi in Ho last Sunday. Some youth of Anlokordzi, a suburb of Ho, attacked the police with stones, sticks and bottles in protest of the death of one Atsu Mensah, who tried to escape arrest during a dawn swoop, last Sunday morning. The agitated youth, who blocked roads leading to the police station and burnt tyres, also threatened to attack any police officer seen in the area. As a result of the tension and threats, the Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) resolved that the police should stop patrolling Anlorkordzi area and the central business district. The military have now been asked to take over while the police secured banks, government agencies and the peripheries of Ho. This was disclosed by the Ho Municipal Chief Executive, Isaac Kodobisah, during a joint operation by the youth of Anlokordzi, the military and the municipal security personnel to smoke out criminals from the area. He also revealed that the REGSEC had also visited the family of Atsu Mensah and assured them of a thorough investigation. Anlokordzi, which is settlement for Anlos in Ho, is known to be a hideout for many criminals and drug users and peddlers in the municipality. Many have fallen victim to robberies and assault in the area, especially at night. Mr. Kodibisah, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, noted that the assembly member for the area, Sheiba Aloryito, notified him that the youth had decided to smoke out criminals in the area and therefore sought support from the assembly. As a result, he contacted the military who had been directed to take charge of patrols in the area and the municipal security personnel to assist in the exercise. He expressed excitement that the youth themselves had taken the initiative to weed out the few criminals who denigrated the community�s reputation. With the help of the youth, about four suspected criminals were arrested while many of them escaped upon hearing about the operation. The arrested criminals were made to look at the scorching sun for several minutes before being sent to the police station. Some kiosks and makeshift structures scattered in the area were demolished while drinking spots believed to be selling some unauthorized products, unlicensed or engaging the criminals were closed down. Some were given a three-day ultimatum to close down while others were asked to provide permit and other documents or face closure. Sheiba Aloryito noted that most of the criminals and drug peddlers were not indigenes of the area, yet used the place as their hideout, terrorizing residents.