Smoke Shop Confrontation
Gov. Carcieri apologizes for smoke shop confrontation
(Providence-AP) -- Governor Carcieri says he will appoint a panel to review the state raid on the Narragansetts' tax-free tobacco store. The Governor also apologized to those who were injured during the state police raid on Monday.
The governor says he instructed the state police to serve a search warrant, but to stop if they encountered resistance. He's also requiring the state police to report on the incident within
ten days.
Since the raid, the state and the Narragansett Indian Tribe have taken their dispute over the store to two separate courts.
Both sides are also seeking temporary restraining orders against the other.
State officials say a 1978 agreement with the tribe makes the Narragansett subject to state laws.
An attorney for the Narragansetts says the statute gives the state authority over the settlement lands, not the tribe.
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