A devastating confrontation between residents and land guards in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region has resulted in the loss of two lives and left several others injured.
The clash occurred on Thursday at Kraboa, a farming community, where residents had blocked a road to prevent sand winners from transporting sand, citing the destruction of their farms.
Eyewitness Account
According to eyewitnesses, the situation escalated when land guards, armed with guns, attacked the protesting residents. The residents retaliated, leading to multiple casualties.
One of the protesting farmers was shot dead, while one of the land guards was found unconscious after being hit. An eyewitness recounted the events, stating that the local chief, Yaw Asiedu, accompanied by land guards, had been invading their farms with machines to mine sand, destroying their crops.
Police Intervention and Allegations of Bias
The police intervened, but the land guards returned in the evening, firing shots and killing one person, while injuring five others. The injured were rushed to Koforidua for medical attention. Residents claim that the police prioritized taking the injured land guard to the hospital over assisting the native who was shot.
Ongoing Issues with Illegal Sand-Winning
The Ayensuano District has been plagued by illegal sand-winning activities, often resulting in violent clashes between farmers and sand winners. Armed land guards reportedly accompany these operators, terrorizing residents and destroying farmlands.
This latest incident has heightened tensions in the community, with residents calling for urgent government intervention to address the illegal sand-winning menace and ensure their safety.
Calls for Government Intervention
The residents are demanding that the government takes immediate action to address the issue of illegal sand-winning and provide protection for the community.
The incident has highlighted the need for effective law enforcement and regulation of sand-winning activities to prevent further violence and destruction of farmlands.
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