The Eastern South Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a crossfire incident over the weekend during the performance of a burial rite at Asamankese in the Lower West Akyem District of the Eastern Region.
The violence, which stemmed from a prolong chieftaincy dispute resulted in nine persons sustaining injuries of various degrees. Six of them residents and three police personnel.
No death has been reported yet.
According to police reports, some disgruntled youth pelted stones and fired guns indiscriminately at the bereaved family in resistance to allegations of burial of six royals in the royal cemetery.
The police say arrest of three youth in the process led to a mob of youth who pelted stones and other implements at its officers who were providing security for the burial rites and others following up on a lead on the conveyance of guns and cartridges close to the place.
A crossfire ensured.
The police in a statement indicated that a gun, 84 live AAA cartridges, seven cutlass and two knifes were retrieved from the scene where the suspects were arrested.
The victims from the crossfire are receiving care at the Asamankese government hospital.
The four suspects are in police custody assisting in further investigations.
Calm has returned to the Asamankese area as residents engage in their daily business, while police presence remain high.
Last week, a chieftaincy dispute at Ahwerease in the Eastern Region also recorded use of guns resulting in one death.
The police made some arrests and has begun prosecuting them.
Pockets of prolonged chieftaincy disputes, possession use of arms is a major threat the police and security agencies must deal with.
