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Seven out of the nine miners who were shot dead for illegally invading the concession of mining firm, AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), have been buried.

The bodies were released to the family on Tuesday, January 21 after an autopsy was conducted.

The seven, all Muslims, were buried according to Islamic rites amidst heightened tension in the area.

The miners were shot at by the military when they (miners) attempted accessing a restricted site to mine, unlawfully.

One out of the four injured receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital is still battling for his life as the bullet is said to have pierced through a critical part of his body.

The Ashanti Regional Minister-designate, Dr Frank Amoakohene and some regional executives of the National Democrat Congress have been engaging the youth in Obuasi, families of the deceased, and management of AGA to restore calm in the community.

“We don’t want anyone to take the law in their hands. The President has given his assurance of pursuing the matter to its meaningful conclusion. We want everyone to remain calm. The security officers are not supposed to be our enemy but our protectors. We will do a thorough investigation in this to make sure that we don’t lose lives as painful as we have again”, Dr Amoakohene said whilst addressing the youth.

President John Dramani Mahama, on Sunday January 19, ordered for investigations into the shooting incident.

Relative calm has since been restored in Obuasi and security beefed up, although schools remain shut down due to the incident.

Illegal miners’ continuous intrusion in the concession AngloGold Ashanti to prospect for gold has been leading to unrests between the youth and the mining firm for several years.

Stakeholder discussion is currently ongoing to find a lasting solution to the perennial disturbances.

By Ibrahim Abubakar