14/02/2025
Tonj North fighting claims five lives
โฆโฆโฆ..14th February 2025
A fighting took place on Thursday in Tonj North County of Warrap State has claimed five lives and the gelweng burns down two markets of Rual Bet and Awul Payam altogether.
This Intercommunal violence in Tonj North County, has already resulted in at least five confirmed deaths and one injured person and totally burned down their local markets into ashes.
The incident happened on Thursday around 4a.m. between two communities Atok Buk and Awan Parek.
Maj. Ajal Bol Bol, director of the criminal investigation department in the county, says that the fighting was a retaliatory response when a seven suspected cattle raiders from Awan Parek were killed by Atok armed men in January this year.
โOn Thursday an Armed men believed to have come from Awan Parek in Rualbet Payam attacked Awuol Payam headquarters, which is the Atok community administrative unit,โ
โThe fighting leaves three people dead from Atok and two attackers from Awan Parek.โ
However, he added that the area is now enjoying relative calm after the attackers were repulsed.
Warrap State has been experiencing similar attacks, particularly in greater Tonj.
Various studies have found out that one of the causes of cattle rustling and banditry menace is ungoverned space, which serves as hideouts for the criminals.
Other factors include weak security systems, porous borders, and the proliferation of arms. Officials say the youth, locally known as gelweng, are more heavily armed than the police.
In addition, they suggest that youth raid animals to meet pride price demands.