Three other civilians were also injured.

Opposition MPs Bol Joseph Agau and Juol Nhomngek Daniel said the clashes Tuesday, March 28, 2023, erupted after the locals resisted the state government’s move to demolish their homes.

The lawmakers say some 300 houses around the vicinity of Rumbek Secondary school have so far been demolished in the ongoing exercise by the state authorities.

According to them, the land was given to the citizens some years back by the previous leadership of the state, a claim Eye Radio could not independently verify.

MPs Agau and Juol Nhomngek have condemned the use of excessive force against the protesting civilians and called on the authorities to put on hold the activities.

They also appealed to the locals to be calm and use legal means to seek redress for the damages.

Bol Joseph Agau is a national MP representing Yirol West on the seat of the National Democratic Movement at the legislature

“The demolitions that have been ongoing since last week, are a step back from the gains of the governor, and I would like to strongly urge the government of Lakes state to immediately hold the ongoing demolition and start talking to the residents and the owners of the houses demolished,” Hon. Joseph told the press in Juba.

“Rumbek Secondary school is not state property it’s national property, it’s a discussion that will be taken by the national ministry of education with the residents,

“The implementation of the demolition will not be taken over by the state, its illegality being implemented by an illegal body. The issue is a national issue, not a state issue, the government of Lakes State must stop immediately.”

However, Hon. Juol Nhomngek, an SPLM- IO, representing Cuibet County has appealed to the parties to use peaceful means to resolve the dispute.

“I have come here today [Tuesday, March 28, 2023] to address the people of Lakes State and say that we have seen the problems which have been facing you on issues of your lands being taken away,” said Hon. Nhomngek.

“If you have a right title to it, and if the government is to take it, the government must follow the law to take lands which you owned,

“I am appealing to all of you to take this matter, not through violent means, but peacefully. We shall get our rights back, and we shall be ready to protect them because the rights are yours,

“The governor of Lakes does not have a right to violate anybody’s right which is guaranteed by the constitution, we are standing with you, don’t kill each other.”

Last week, a resident of Rumbek by the name Ayen Makur Kulang took to her Facebook page to the demolition of her house she described as an act of vendetta.