At least 5 people were killed and 3 others wounded in clashes between the Gaak and Nielniel sections of the Pakam community in Rumbek North County in Lakes State, local officials said.
The Lakes State minister of cabinet affairs, who is also the chairman of the Pakam community, Stephen Mathiang Deng Monydit, told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday that the melee was sparked by the elopement of a girl from the Nielniel section who was betrothed to a man from the Manuer section to a man from the Gaak section.
“The cause was just an elopement of a girl whose dowry was already been paid by another young man from the Manuer section but the girl herself did not want to be married by the one who paid dowry and that is why she chose to elope with another man,” he said. “This is what angered the family members of the girl who then attacked the section of the man who they suspected their daughter went to. Up to now, it is not known who has eloped with.”
“We have managed to arrest three suspects including the father of the girl, a chief, and a family member of the man to whom the girl went and they are now in custody at the Deng Nhial police station in Rumbek for investigation,” he added.
Minister Deng said the whereabouts of the couple that eloped is unknown and that anyone who violates the law and the general stability in Lakes State will be punished.