Lakes: Yirol West authorities recapture stolen cows from raiders

October 25, 2012 (RUMBEK) – Authorities in Yirol West County of Lakes State have reported that more than 70 cows were raided by suspected criminals from Unity State’s Panyjiar County on Wednesday at from the Mangar and Aruopnyiel cattle camps.

Yirol West County Commissioner Makur Kulang Liei said that the cows had been returned after the raiders we pursued by a mixture of SPLA and Police forces.

One person was shot in his upper leg, Commissioner Kulang said.

“Always in Yirol West County, we stay on alert because element of criminal are making disturbances within the community”, he said.

Commissioner Kulang said that he usually communicates with Commissioner of Panyjiar Peter Gai Joak about the movements and to try and stop cattle raiding but admitted it was hard to make all groups stop the practice, especially considering how swampy the area is.

Kulang said that this was the second cattle raid since a July raid on cows in Adior.

Currently, security is good in Lakes State’s eight counties with authorities stepping up efforts against cattle thieves.

“We will do our best to stop any crime” the commissioner said.

“There is no reports cases of cattle thief within eight counties of Lakes state being caused by youth themselves like before” said Commissioner Kulang.

PANYINJAR DENIAL

The Commissioner of Payinjiar County Peter Gai Joak has denied the raiders came from his area, saying there was no evidence prove the allegations and pointing out that there was a large distance between the two. He added it was more likely the raiders came from Rumbek Central County.

Commissioner Joak said he had contacted the Yirol West County commissioner about allegation.

“We have put our forces at the border since this incident occurred but no case revealed that the cattle rustlers were from the county”, Joak added.

He urged authorities in Lake State to conduct further investigations.

(ST)