A TOTAL of 91 people arrested in Lusaka for riotous behaviour will appear in court soon while 26 Mungwi Technical High school pupils arrested in Kasama for similar offences have been released.

Initially, about 100 people were arrested for riotous behaviour in Lusaka but nine of them were yesterday released after admitting to the charge of conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

Police spokesperson, Bonny Kapeso, who confirmed the development yesterday said police screened all the people who were picked during the riots, which took place in Mandevu, Chipata, Chaisa, Matero and Garden townships and at Mulungushi International Conference Centre when some residents protested against the election results.

Mr Kapeso said the nine were released after paying admission of guilty fee while the 91 were remanded in custody and would appear in court soon. Police were committed to maintaining law and order and would continue monitoring the situation.

"I can confirm that police officers conducted a screening exercise following the riot in some parts of Lusaka in which about 100 people were arrested. Of these, nine have been released after admitting to the charge and paying the fee," he said.

Police recently fought running battles with residents protesting against election results and several motor vehicles were damaged and a Zambeef shop set ablaze in Chipata township.

In the Kasama riots, Inspector General of Police, Ephraim Mateyo, said he had decided to unconditionally release all the pupils who early this week rioted in the spirit of reconciliation.

Their unconditional release comes in the wake of the fact pupils needed to concentrate on their studies on one hand and in the spirit of reconciliation between police and the pupils.

The pupils were supposed to appear before the courts of law to answer to the charges.

School headmaster, Abraham Bambala, confirmed the release of the pupils saying the school administration would not impose any punishment on them except for those suspended before the Tuesday ordeal.

About 200 pupils marched for about 27 km from Mungwi to Kasama to protest leading the police to arrest them.