Police presence stopped tribal fighting: Lakari

By ELIAS LARI
THE heavy presence of police has stopped the tribal fighting and bloodshed in Kagua’s Sugu Valley, Southern Highlands.
“We have successfully prevented the clashes of the warring parties and we are also talking to rival tribal leaders to lay down their arms and embrace law and order and peace,” provincial police commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari, pictured, said.

He said policemen were camped on the battlefield and conducting patrol operations to prevent rival sides from “meeting each other”.
“Besides high powered firearms, the tribal fighters had also used grenades in their clashes.
“Too many have died, there had been massive destruction of properties and the livelihood of villagers have been disrupted,” he added.
Lakari said the warring tribal leaders, after seeing heavy police presence, had decided to give the restoration of peace and normalcy a chance.
“The leaders have also described me as the first police commander to meet and talk to them,” he said after visiting the fighting zone in Kagua-Erave on Saturday.
“The warring leaders have welcomed me and my men in peace. (It is a relief) our presence is making a difference to stop the fighting and bloodshed (that had been waged since Feb 10),” he added.
Lakari described Sugu Valley as still a “no go zone” and that “we are working hard to persuade them to lay down their arms and weapons”.
“Tribal fighting is the worst action people can resort to express their grievances,” he said.
“Leave issues and grievances, law and order, to the police and the courts to handle.
“The villagers have also promised to participate in a peaceful Local Level Government election.”
Lakari said currently the mobile squad, task force and general duty personnel had been deployed for security control.
“We will still be beefing up our presence with more personnel so that the warring tribal fighters stop and withdraw their vengeful intentions.
“What’s gone is gone. We have to return and make a fresh start.
“Tribal fights cannot settle grievances.
“People must change their mindsets and look at addressing their concerns and grievance through the law,” he added.