Lakes State fires live bullets at land protesters in Rumbek

Officers from Lakes State’s capital Rumbek were forced to fire in the air to disperse locals who were protesting against the demolition of their houses.

State minister of information William Koji said the demolition process began a week ago.

He added the plan was to bring down houses on two parcels of land that houses tens of residential buildings.

This resulted in a protest from the affected families that took to the streets.

Police were forced to fire in the air to disperse the protesters. Several people were injured in the process, allegations that Koji denied.

“The demolition is now a week old, but this morning they became angry and came in huge numbers and started throwing paraphernalia at the officers who were providing security to the engineers.

“Security forces had no choice but to open fire to scare them (protesters) away,” he narrated.

Koji accused the protesters of endangering the lives of officers by pelting them with stones and other crude weapons.

“Nobody was killed, and nobody was injured in the incident. The demolition is ongoing normally,” he denied.

According to Koji, the land belongs to the school, and the state is implementing the Sixth Governor’s Forum resolution, which directed the state government to reclaim all illegally occupied government lands.

“The land belongs to Rumbek National Secondary School, and it will remain theirs as resolved in the fifth Governor’s Forum and as resolved by Lakes State Council in 2021,” he added.

Koji warned that those who want to take laws into their own hands will face consequences.

“It is dangerous because it may have its own consequences.”