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TONJ - 21 Jan 2019

105 killed during cattle raids in Tonj state

At least 105 people had been killed and 47 others wounded in Tonj State after armed men attacked cattle keepers, a local official said on Monday.

James Ayiek Bath, Tonj state minister of information, told Radio Tamazuj that the attack took place in Laucjang North, Luacjang East and Marial-Lou Counties, while the pastoralists were grazing their cattle.

"The incident occurred on 14 January. The raiders launched attacks on Darbim, Majak-Nhial, Wuntheek and Yath-Ngek areas,” he explained.

He confirmed that at least 105 people including women and children died in the cattle raid incident.

The state minister pointed out that the attackers had come from Southern Liech and Northern Liech states, an accusation denied by Lam Tungwar, the minister of information in Northern Liech state.

Ayiek added that the raiders made away with 2,300 animals.

Last week, at least 28 people were reported killed in attacks by cattle rustlers in Bul East County of Northern Liech State. Authorities also accused cattle raiders from Tonj state of involvement in the attack.

The region has suffered decades of communal violence, mainly caused by cattle rustling and grazing land.