At least eight civilians were wounded during clashes between police and protesters in Malakal town of Upper Nile State on Monday morning, police said.
The protests were staged by some administrative officers in Malakal municipality who refused to be transferred to the State Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency.
Eyewitnesses said security forces used live bullets to disperse the protesters.
The area police commissioner Major General Chol Atem, told Radio Tamazuj that at least 10 people, including police officers, sustained injuries during the protests. He pointed out that one of the wounded protesters was in critical condition.
“The eight wounded protesters include six men and two women. One of the women who sustained injuries was in a critical condition, but she is receiving treatment at a hospital,” he said
When asked about the cause of the protests in Malakal, Major General Atem said, “The protests erupted at 9:30 am in Malakal. The cause of the protests is between the Malakal municipality and the state ministry of local government. Some administrative officers refused to be transferred, and as a result, they decided to protest. So this was the cause of protests, but other people also joined the protest,” he add.
The police officer said security forces will apprehend the perpetrators, pointing out that the security situation in Malakal town was under control.
Meanwhile, the State Minister of Information Luk Sadallah Deng said the civilians were injured during clashes with police.
“The protesters forced the police to use live bullets to disperse them, resulting in injuries among the protesters. One woman was in a critical condition,” he said.
According to the minister, authorities had imposed a night curfew within Malakal town on Monday evening.