[ 2015-11-30 ]

Police, military on high alert in Bunkrugu after renewed clashes
Police and military reinforcement have been
dispatched to Bunkprugu in the Northern Region
Monday following renewed clashes two days ago.

At least one person was severely injured in the
violence that is steeped in ethnic and chieftaincy
disagreements.

Joy News’ Northern Region Correspondent,
Hashmin Mohammed, says Bunkrugu has been under
heavy security since the violence that lasted more
than 48 hours.

A resident told Joy News he heard heavy gunshots
during the clashes. He said although police
attempted to quell the violence it proved
daunting.

"The Police themselves were tired. You could hear
police siren but after a while you would not hear
the police siren again [but] the sound of the
gunshots," the resident told Joy News.

In April this year, two people were killed and
several properties destroyed after similar
clashes.

However, peace returned to the area after a
15-hour curfew was imposed on the Northern Region
town. Interior Minister, Mark Woyongo, also met
with the feuding parties in a bid to broker
peace.

Meanwhile, police in Northern Region say they are
making progress with efforts to forestall further
violence in the area.

The Bimobas and Konkombas in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo
District have a long-standing land dispute that
has occasionally resulted in violence.

A similar conflict erupted between the two ethnic
groups in September last year and resulted in the
death of about six people and the destruction of
houses.

Similar clashes between the two groups were
recorded in 1985, 1986 and 1989 during which a
number of casualties were recorded and many people
were displaced.

Source - Joy News

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