The atmosphere in certain neighborhoods of the city changes at night. In the fourth arrondissement, the usual hustle and bustle gives way to a heavy silence. Fokontany chiefs from 67 Ha, Antohomadinika, and Anatihazo, interviewed separately yesterday, testify: “We rarely cross paths with people on the street at night, unlike in the past.” In Antohomadinika Sud, only those with a specific destination go out at night, notes Christian Ravelomanana, a fokontany chief. In 67 Ha North-west, “the neighborhood has been a bit quiet at night since bars started closing at 9 p.m.,” indicates his counterpart, Thierry Ratiarison.
According to these officials, this change in scenery dates back to the implementation of night checks and the 9 p.m. bar closing time, in accordance with the instructions of the Antananarivo Police Prefecture.
Night patrols have been reinforced since the series of disappearances that shook the capital in July 2026. Since then, some fokontany have organized night patrols with the support of the National Police. A report on these operations, prepared by the Tsaralalàna central police station and released by the National Police this week, indicates that 282 people were checked while circulating at night between September 27 and October 6, 2026. The same report indicates that about a hundred people were stopped for identity verification on public roads during this period.
“When a person does not carry their identity card at night, they are subject to a situation review,” indicates a source from the National Police. This is reportedly a simple routine inquiry aimed at verifying identity, not a measure related to a committed offense. “This can lead to protective custody if the reasons for their travel remain unclear or if no one can bring their identity document to the scene. It is by no means a police custody, but rather a protective measure,” the source continues. According to them, these measures help prevent numerous offenses: “The person concerned is likely to commit one or be a victim of one, particularly during an assault or pickpocketing.”
Captured & Published at: 2026-10-19 06:23:45 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/10/antananarivo-certains-quartiers.html