Some of the burnt houses
Renewed clashes between two ethnic groups at Kpemali, a farming community near Nakpanduri in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District of the Northern Region, which began early Monday morning, has resulted in several casualties.
One person had been confirmed dead and six others severely wounded in gun battles between the Konkombas and Bimobas in the area.
The conflict was said to have been sparked by a land dispute.
Deputy Northern Region Minister Nasaamu Asabigi confirmed the latest casualties to Joy FM yesterday evening.
The two ethnic groups were alleged to have exchanged gunshots in the early hours of Monday, which compelled women and children to flee into the bush.
Sources revealed that more than 300 houses had been torched while over 2,000 persons were rendered homeless as a result of the clashes believed to be over a parcel of land.
Some of the injured persons were Peter Labik, Jubika Peter, Komah Peter and Kisansu Janga Bilsa, and currently being treated at the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu.
Security sources revealed that the intense fighting between the Konkombas and Bimobas was over a parcel of land in the district, a hotspot in the region.
During DAILY GUIDE’s visit, almost all residents at Kpameli had fled the town for safety in neigbouring communities, as reports suggested that both factions were arming themselves for retaliatory attacks.
A number of residents who spoke to DAILY GUIDE feared the situation could escalate if a reinforcement team was not immediately deployed to the area to beef up security on the ground.
DAILY GUIDE gathered that the warring factions were using sophisticated weapons and as a result, the chief of the area, David Kansok, called for police assistance.
The clashes, which occurred in the wake of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Paul Tawiah Quaye’s visit to the region, had attracted wide criticisms.
Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP George Tuffuor, has indicated that an armed reinforcement team has been deployed to the scene to curtail further destruction and loss of property.
The Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District Police Commander, ASP Michael Zah, who also confirmed the incident to DAILY GUIDE, indicated that he was doing all within his capacity to bring the situation under control, disclosing that the victims who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to the Baptist Medical Centre for treatment.
According to some eyewitnesses, the area was very calm on Sunday night until 5am Monday when both groups engaged in sporadic gun battles following disagreements over the same parcel of land.
The District Security Committee, chaired by Philip Laari, the DCE for the area, at the time of filing this report, was yet to visit the area to assess the extent of damage to property.
From Stephen Zoure, Tamale
