Clash between transporters leaves one dead, others displaced

A clash over loading rights between two rival groups of transporters at Bugri in the Bawku East District of northeastern Ghana has left one person dead, displaced about 100 and led to the destruction of property valued millions of cedis. A woman, Apuayuga Awinbilla, was burnt to death after being trapped in one of the houses, an eyewitness told journalists who accompanied the regional minister for the area, Mahami Salifu, to Bawku East on Wednesday. Three seriously injured men who were rushed to Bawku Hospital were responding to treatment, according hospital sources. More than 25 houses were burnt and about 100 persons displaced following the clash, which occurred on Monday. A corn mill, several market sheds and barns were razed and livestock killed. According to the eyewitness, trouble started when a local assemblyman, Yinusah Awuni, who is also a porter at the lorry park, tried to load a vehicle although it was not his group's turn to do so. An argument ensued and eventually degenerated into a fight during which three other loaders were beaten unconscious with clubs. When news of the dispute spread around the town, it became an all-out battle with mob attacks and the indiscriminate burning of grass-thatched houses. Military and police personnel have been deployed in the area. However, no arrests had been made up to Wednesday. The regional minister gave the assurance that thorough investigations were being conducted to ascertain the cause of the riot and that those found responsible for any acts of lawlessness would be severely dealt with. The Bawku East district has been troubled for some time by ethnic, chieftaincy and political violence. Armed soldiers from Tamale, a major town in the north, have been stationed there to maintain the fragile peace that had prevailed since a land ownership dispute between Kusasis and Mamprusis left several people dead in 2002.