Where else can a man throw a bomb at street vendors? Watch out for grenades! [Archives:2003/07/Culture]

BY YEMEN TIMES STAFF
It is well-known that Yemen is a country where carrying weapons is the norm. Everywhere you go in the country, you will be able to see vast numbers of weapons all over. However, could using those weapons become a norm as well?
Well, it seems that that may be possible after all. Take the example of the incident that occurred in Hadda several days ago.
On Feb. 7 a Yemeni man irritated and annoyed by noisy nut sellers outside his house decided to commit a bizarre act that can be considered outrageous in all terms everywhere else on this planet. The man decided to simply throw a hand grenade on those poor vendors.
Indeed, and yet with very calm manner would justify his action by claiming that he was bothered by the noises of those vendors who wanted to take advantage of the Eid season to sell their nuts to the neighborhood.
This act, which resulted in seriously wounding four of the peddlers, has also caused great concerns for authorities that are helpless in controlling the flow and carrying of weapons in the country.
The bomb thrower may have been arrested, but he also shows the world that throwing bombs on a crowd is such an easy task in this country. As a matter of fact, purchasing bombs, Kalashnikovs and all sorts of bullets is as simple as purchasing any other popular goods.
Hasn’t the time come for our government to wake up and end this phenomenon? Doesn’t the government feel a little embarrassed of the conditions of security in the country today?
Well if they still aren’t, I guess we will continue to watch out for grenades as we walk in the streets.


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