30 feared dead in communal fighting

More than 30 people were feared dead while several others were seriously wounded during clashes at the weekend in the northern town of Kafanchan, Kaduna State, 'The Guardian' reported on Monday. The conflict between members of the Hausa ethnic group and indigenous people from southern Kaduna erupted over the official installation of the new emir of Jemaa, according to the independent newspaper. Jemaa is an area near Kafanchan. According to news reports, south Kaduna indigenes in Jemaa's council rejected the new emir's ascension to the throne after the death of his father, the late emir, saying that the emirate system was a Hausa tradition alien to their culture. During the clashes on Saturday, some houses were set on fire and protesters built huge bonfires to prevent the new emir's entourage from entering the town, 'The Guardian' said.