At least four people were hurt others detained by Sudanese security agents in protests staged by dozens of citizens and political activists in Sodari town in Sudan’s North Kordofan yesterday.

Bakeri, information secretary of the Sudanese Congress Party, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the protests were instigated by discontent over lack of basic services in the town.

He noted angry protestors also demanded expulsion of companies working in the minerals sector in the area, saying that they are believed owned by influential figures in the national government in Khartoum.

The citizens demanded improvement of essential services such as clean water and good healthcare as well as education, according to Bakeri.

He claimed that the police and the security quelled the protests by using live bullets and tear gas, though they had been notified 48 hours ahead that there would be peaceful protests.

“At least four persons were shot with live bullets by the police during the protests and about 45 people including the SCP members were detained by the security personnel,” the politician claimed.

Radio Dabanga reported that a court in Sodari convicted three demonstrators, all belonging to the local Sudanese Congress Party, to six months in prison on Tuesday: Mohamed Nour Terab (Chairman of the local party); Abdel Baga Abdallah (Secretary General); and Ahmed Majid Ahmed (party member).

Finally, Ali Ahmed Fati Mohamed (local party member) was convicted to four months.