Over 80 flee violence in Lakes state’s Rumbek Central county
September 22, 2014 (RUMBEK) – More than 80 Cueibet county residents in Rumbek Central county of South Sudan’s Lakes state have fled to churches and police stations amid fears of revenge attacks, eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune on Monday.
Those fleeing reportedly fear they could be killed by relatives of Lakes state’s military caretaker governor, Maj-Gen Matur Chut Dhuol.
Activists have accused Duol of indirect involvement in insecurity in the region, accusing the latter of allegedly allowing his family members engage in killings of people along Rumbek highways.
The state has, in recent weeks, witnessed a rise in murder incidences involving high-profile people as several businessmen, students and traditional leaders complained of harassment from security agents allegedly acting under the governor’s instructions.
“Eighty-one people who are Gok-Dinka of Cueibet county have left their residences inside Rumbek town and moved to stay in police stations and churches,” a senior officer from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said.
“So far, 36 people from Gok Dinka section are now staying in Rumbek police headquarters, and 45 people are inside Rumbek Catholic church,” he added.
Meanwhile, a police car carrying the salaries of organised forces in Cueibet was ambushed n Sunday, with two of the attackers killed.
Security officials in the state confirmed the attack, but said police manage to prevent money from being looted by the attackers.
Lakes state is locked in a cycle of revenge killings, cattle raiding and highway attacks. However, president Salva Kiir Mayardit has so far ignored public demands for the removal of the caretaker governor.
(ST)