Three executive chiefs of Gony and Panyon sections were detained on Tuesday for failing to arrest culprits accused of causing violence between farmers and cattle keepers in Cuei-Adukan village of Lakes State.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, the Police Chief Inspector Majak Alapayo Ador confirmed that the three chiefs; Majok Maper Manyiel, Dhuol Mayom Dhuol, and Dut Maker Magher are in detention for not implementing orders to bring culprits to book.
Farmers and cattle keepers in Cuei-Adukan village fought last week over accusations of cattle straying into farms and destroying farmlands. A committee overseeing peaceful disarmament in the area last Saturday ordered the chiefs to apprehend and hand over those involved in the conflict.
"The three chiefs are briefly detained by police until culprits and suspects who brought cattle camps in the farming areas of Cuei-Adukan village are brought to book," Alapayo said.
He added that the situation has been calmed after the government sent a security team to prevent the escalation of violence.
"The government of Lakes State is now dispatching a joint-organized force of police and military from wounded heroes for deployment in Cuei-Adukan, Pacong, and Panawac. The situation is calm and stable,” the police official said.
Alapayo called on the chiefs from both the farmers and cattle keepers’ side to speed up the process of bringing in the suspects for investigation and secure the release of the three chiefs.
The Paramount Chief of Panyon section of Cuei-Adukan village, Sabit Kuac Manyiel Dut confirmed the arrest of the three executive chiefs but said they are working to secure their release.
"We are now traveling to the village of Cuei-Adukan to bring suspects wanted by the government for arrests," he added.