Two armed youth were killed and a policeman injured when a group of armed young men attacked a police post at Paloch Payam, Rumbek East County of Lakes State on Sunday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the Executive Chief of Paloch Payam Makuei Arier said those killed were from the Pagod and Panyar sections of Paloch Payam.
"Yesterday, there was a quarrel between Paloch Payam police and armed young men in the cattle camp which resulted in the death of two civilians and one policeman was wounded on Sunday. I was not present when it happened, I am now going to find out what exactly was the root cause of misunderstanding and clashes," Arier said. "But it is said that the police came to collect the cows that were raided from the Atuot community in Aluakluak Payam. This is where a quarrel between Paloch Payam police and armed civilians started."
He added that Monday has been calm following the clashes yesterday as the government investigates the incident.
The Paloch Payam youth leader Poth Awumchir also confirmed the clashes and said one of those killed was a youth leader.
According to him, the police were to return stolen lactating cows from neighboring Aluakluak payam before the youth stormed the police post.
"An armed civilian youth leader identified as Mawet Makol was shot dead on spot, and the other civilian was shot on the back but succumbed to death before he reached the clinic," he added.
Awunchir pointed out that the youth leader killed was shot at while trying to calm the youth in order to resolve the standoff.