EES Government Bans Carrying Guns In Public Places

The Government of Eastern Equatoria State has issued an order that prohibits carrying of guns in public places such markets, social joints, civil service offices even by organized forces or any legible persons, except authorized ones, the State Governor has announced.

Governor Hon. Louis Lobong Lojore told Gurtong that in their routine Thursday’s Council of Ministers meeting held last week, they unanimously passed a resolution after thorough deliberation on the said agenda.

Lobong squarely blamed organised forces for becoming a threat to security instead of protecting the public and property. He termed this practice to damage the reputation of South Sudanese to the rest of the world.

The Governor disclosed that the move followed a sequence of uncontrolled gunshots associated with security forces especially police officers in the major towns like Torit and Kapoeta.

Official sources revealed to Gurtong that irresponsible shootings left a number of people dead in the last two weeks, citing a policeman who shot his neighbour over a quarrel then surrendered himself to a near police station. Unfortunately he was also shot dead in the melee with a fellow police officer after explaining the ordeal.

Lobong affirmed that the move will help to reduce insecurity associated with irresponsible security personnel.

The number of persons killed in similar circumstances in Torit town within the last two weeks has risen to 4.

According the Governor, the resolution stipulates that all the organised forces in the State can handle guns on permission especially during patrols or while on duty and upon completing their shift duties, they are to immediately surrender them to the concerned authorities, their respective administration or command units.

Bodyguards were not spared as they were ordered to carry guns only during official duties.

A number citizen’s welcomed the initiative taken by the Government but urged the State to exert more efforts to train the police as they lacked professional ethics.

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