SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — Three men have been arrested and detained at Ngoma Police Station in connection with a spate of stone pelting incidents at the home of Anaclet Dufitumukiza, a resident of Rango village for  the past one week.

The arrests followed reports that unknown people had since last week been pelting Dufitumukiza’s house- leaving windowpanes broken and children injured.

"Unknown people have terrorised my family since Friday January 16. They have mainly targeted my children – one was injured as a result. The attacks have left window and door glasses smashed. I do not know the motive of the attackers,” said a frightened Dufitumukiza, as he took this reporter around the house.

The Ngoma Police station Commander, Adolph Nyagatare confirmed the arrests, but the names of suspects were not readily available.

What is more puzzling is the fact that most of these acts are committed during the day.  Despite being a densely settled area, people in the neighbourhood deny knowledge of attackers.

Venant Tuyizere, a community policing official in the village believes the attackers are fellow village mates. "The attackers are using hard dry bricks; they could not have picked them from outside because they are not wet. They are attacking from the neighbouring houses,” said Tuyizere.

"We tried to arrest three suspects  after the last incidence , but they disappeared into the swamps within the neihbourhood,” he added.

The residents have expressed disappointment in Police authorities whom they accuse of releasing ‘notorious’ criminals who have continued to terrorise the area.

 "People like Kadogo, Kazungu and Rukara are notorious criminals in this area but every time we take them to Police, they are released. They are unemployed youths who are hired to commit crime,” said an angry resident.

Local authorities with the help of Police and Army have intensified the search for the attackers. Security has also been beefed up at Dufitumukiza’s home.

The Tumba Sector Executive Secretary, Abson Sindayigaya, said that several meetings are being conducted in the neighbouring villages in a bid to track down the attackers and their accomplices.

"We are encouraging residents to provide information on the attackers. The attacks are made during the day, meaning that they are coming from within,” he said on phone.

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