Three People Die In Clashes near Bawku.

Karateshie (U/E), June 14, GNA - Three persons were hacked to death during a clash between two feuding family members over a piece of land at Karateshie, near Bawku on Sunday.

Eighteen people were injured most of whom were treated and discharged at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, while seven are still on admission. 17 houses were also burnt down in the ensuing mayhem, says the Bawku East Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Abdul Rahaman Gumah. The deceased were Adam Ali, 55, Awuni Anaase, 60, Asaana Anaawini, 80, were clubbed dead with hoes in the presence of police personnel, who were detailed to effect the arrest of the assailants. Their bodies have been deposited at the Bawku hospital, while suspects have been placed in police custody.

The suspects are kwesi Azure, 27, Anawini Musah, 32, Amulai Akaasim, 51, Atubiga Ayambila and Akasiah Awuni.

Briefing the GNA, the Bawku Municipal Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Sapark Sampaana said the two fighting factions, the Anawini and Atega families had one grandfather who passed on the same piece of land to them, which had brought the struggle for ownership between the two families.

He said the situation heightened last May and the two families sent the matter to the Bawku Circuit Court for arbitration. He said the court ruled that the Anawini family had the right to the land but that did not go down well with the Atega family. The Atega subsequently took the case to the Bolgatanga High Court, which threw out the case and referred them back to the Bawku Circuit Court.

While the case was still pending, the Anawini family began farming on the disputed land in April this year, but they were harassed and threatened by the Atega family.

Chief supt. Sampana said the Circuit Court summoned the Atega family to appear before it but they failed and bench warrants had to be sent to affect their arrest.

He said on the day of the clashes, six police personnel were detailed to arrest some members of the Atega family were accompanied the deceased persons.

Unknowingly, about 30 members of the Atega family had laid ambush and on their arrival at the village, they attacked the Anawini family and the police in spite of the police firing warning shots, Chief Supt. explained.

He said when the police realized that they were outnumbered; they retreated and called for reinforcement that led to the arrest of the five suspects.

The suspects are to appear before the Bawku Circuit Court on Friday.