Malawi Police fire tear gas at MCP supporters

A Police officer  in the capital city Lilongwe on Tuesday fired tear-gas in order to disperse the angry Malawi Congress Party (MCP) supporters who  gathered inlarge number at Kaneng police station  in order to force Malawi Police release their legal advisor, Lewis Chakhwantha who apparently, handed himself in over accusation of coup plot through WhatsApp conversation.

MCP members had peaceful demonstrations on Tuesday as they conducted vigil at Kanengo Police Station demanding release of Chakhwantha.

However, things got out of hand when at around 19:00PM local time, MCP vigilant group announced that they would sleep at the Police Station.

The party members argued that there is no way that the members could be in their comfort of their homes while their youth director is in prison.

The announcement did not go down well with the duty Police officers who immediately pulled out teargas  and threw to the MCP members.

Fearing for their safety, the members sped to different directions.

Nyasa Times reporters saw riot police, some armed with rubber batons, guns and teargas launchers and some in armored trucks chasing the MCP supporters.

The State is accusing MCP members  in US-sponsored drive to galvanise the regime change lobby and topple President Peter Mutharika

Malawi Law Society has described the arrest as unlawful and tantamount to stifle hard earned democracy.