Security authorities have set up a comprehensive plan to further maintain law and order in Bahrain to tackle illegal protests and road blockades that harm citizens and residents, it was announced last night.

The security clamp was pledged after a rampaging mob of saboteurs stormed a police patrol in Juffair, resulting in the death of a teenager. Ali Yousif Ali Hassan, 16, died on the spot after he was caught between a police patrol jeep and a house wall behind him during the chaos, Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier Tariq Al Hassan said.

The Interior Ministry will not hesitate to take tough action to protect security, the lives of innocent civilians and public property, he warned.

Traffic patrols are also being stepped up during the weekends. He urged everyone to refrain from inciting violence and rioting.

“Immediate legal procedures will be taken against any kind of incitement or illegal action. The ministry will not hesitate to protect national security, stability and the safety of citizens and residents as well as public and private property. And to achieve this, we are following an integrated security plan being implemented in coordination with all the authorities concerned,” he said.

“We have adequate security and are not exhausted,” he told the press conference at the ministry’s Officers’ Club in Gudaibiya.

Brig Al Hassan said a police patrol was suddenly surrounded and attacked by saboteurs who were burning tyres, blocking roads and pouring oil on it early yesterday morning on Al Shabab Avenue.

They pelted stones, threw firebombs and hit the vehicle with iron rods, he said.

'While the patrol tried to escape, the vehicle skidded because of oil on the road.'

Brig Al Hassan said a policeman is being treated in hospital after sustaining injuries during the incident.

He said that forensic reports did not find evidence that the teenager was repeatedly run over by the vehicle, as claimed by some individuals and media outlets.

The teenager, originally from Sitra, lived in Guraifa. He was buried at Outer Sitra Cemetery.

Brig Al Hassan further highlighted that saboteurs attacked security forces on Friday in Daih by pelting stones and iron rods on policemen and bystanders.

He said Zahra Saleh Mohammed, 27, was critically injured after being caught in the clashes. She was struck on the forehead by an iron rod thrown by one of the attackers.

She is in Salmaniya Medical Complex's Intensive Care Unit following a surgery.

General Directorate of Traffic’s culture director, Major Moosa Al Dossary told our sister newspaper, the Gulf Daily News yesterday that their teams were committed to ensuring smooth flow of traffic in Bahrain.

“We have a plan in action to monitor all roads and especially during weekends, when we deploy staff from our office to assist traffic officers in patrolling duties,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brig Al Hassan said that citizens and residents were effectively using a security hotline to report threats, violence and suspicious activity.

“We continue to receive complaints that have helped prevent accidents,” he added.

The anonymous hotline allows individuals to register complaints that are referred to relevant departments for investigation. – TradeArabia News Service