Biometric Registration: 4 shot, 2 cutlassed, houses torched at Arugu

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Category: Elections & Governance

Created on Tuesday, 27 March 2012 00:00

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Biometric Registration: 4 shot, 2 cutlassed, houses torched at Arugu

Four people were shot while two others were hacked with machetes last Saturday at Arugu, in the West Mamprusi District, following misunderstandings over which territory the biometric registration exercise should be undertaken.

Upper East Regional Minister, Mark Woyongo who explained the situation during an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show Tuesday, said the violence broke after residents of Arugu insisted that residents of Ubarugu – another community in the Talensi District –register at the polling station in Arugu instead of the one at Ubarugu.

The minister said the two sides have been at loggerheads over the territory occupied by residents of Ubarugu. He said the Arugu people claim the area belonged to them but the people of Ubaruga have always insisted on their autonomy.

The minister further explained that when officials of the Electoral Commission went to the vicinity on Saturday to commence the biometric registration exercise, the Aruga residents insisted the Ubarugu residents commute to Arugu for their registration and which they refused.

This, the minister said, led to the violent clashes between the two communities.

Six houses were burnt along with foodstuff. The minister said some residents fled to the Kassena-Nankana East District.

The injured, according to him, are receiving treatment at the hospital.

Two persons who were arrested Monday, the minister revealed, were forcibly freed from police custody by an angry crowd the same day.

Meanwhile, the Northern and Upper East Regional Security Councils have met over the issue and police have been deployed to the locality.

Mr Woyongo said security would be reinforced to ensure the smooth registration of voters in the area.

Source:Dorcas Efe Mensah/Myjoyonline.com