3 Killed During GOSS Minister's Burial

14 February 2011 – (Lainya) – Three people were killed and four others wounded when an unknown gunman stormed a prayer gathering in Mukwaya Payam in Lainya County on Sunday.

The commissioner of Lainya County in Central Equatoria state, Suba Samuel told Sudan Radio Service on Monday that the killing is not related to the death of Jimmy Lemi Milla.

The Goss minister of cooperatives and rural development, Lemi who was killed last Thursday in Juba was buried on Sunday in Lainya county. The two incidents are arousing anxiety among residents in the county.

[Suba Samuel]: “No it’s not true; the burial of the late minister was done successful yesterday. However, the function ended at exactly 6 pm, however in a different Payam called Mukwaya in Lainya County at exactly 5:30 a different incident happened where somebody shot the people while they are praying in Mukwaya. That incident resulted into the death of three people and injured around four. They are admitted at Yei Civil hospital for further treatment.”

The commissioner appealed to residents of Lainya to be calm as the police are still pursuing the culprit.

[Suba Samuel]: “The Police are pursuing the culprit who at the moment at large is not yet apprehended. The name is not yet released; it is still being withheld by the police. Of course until he is apprehended that’s when they will release the name. Very many people yesterday and even today are still confused. They are trying to mix up that particular issue that happened during the burial of the late Minister. It is not true l just want you to help me in one way or another by refuting that statement. It comes direct from the commissioner of Lainya and this where this incident is happening and as l talk to you now l am on my way to the last prayer in the minister’s place and then l will also go to the scene of the accident there and start verifying and ratify issues. But this are completely isolated thought of thing they are no people fighting as l talk to you right now."

The commissioner of Lainya County, Suba Samuel was speaking to SRS by phone from Lainya on Monday.