Curfew at Busaiteen beach challenged

Manama : The Muharraq Police Directorate’s decision to impose permits for picnickers visiting the Busaiteen beach after 5pm goes against Article 19 of the constitution that guarantees personal freedom, Municipal Council Representative Yousif Al Rayes told DT News.

“It’s unfair to punish all residents and visitors of Busaiteen by depriving them of entering the beach because of the wrongdoings of others,” he said.

His comments followed a recent decision by the Muharraq Police Directorate to disallow people without a permit to stay at the beach after sunset. The decision stipulated that visitors wanting to stay after sunset should get a permit from the police during office hours between Sunday and Thursday.

Social Activist and Busaiteen Resident Hamad Al Kooheji confirmed the police decision saying drunkards have been spotted at the beach after sunset. Some residents have conveyed their disagreement, he said. 

Municipal Council Representative Yousif Al Rayes told DT News that he is aware of the complaints by residents and said he has submitted a note to the Council on the issue and the Muharraq Municipal Council is expected to review the matter with the Muharraq Police Directorate.

“If the problem is about a few people violating the law, why can’t they be arrested?” he asked. “This sudden one-sided decision unrightfully restricts people’s freedom. It’s against the Kingdom’s Constitution, he added.

Meanwhile MP, Hamad Al Dossary said he has received complaints about drunken miscreants at the coast near the Budaiya Fishermen’s Port. “The port needed more monitoring and lighting maintenance, as some lawbreakers frequently find it a haven for their activities, especially at night,” he said. 

He said the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry has assured guards would question individuals entering the port after 7pm, to check violations.

While stressing that wrongdoers should be booked, Representative Yousif Al Rayes said there are no special circumstances to impose a curfew on citizens and residents at the Busaiteen beach.