Acting Upper East Region Minister has ruled out ethnic factionalism in the recent violent attacks in the region. Mark Woyongo said the violence which has led to one death and injuring three others was purely a criminal activity. He was speaking to Joy News ahead of the Upper East Regional Security Council meeting being organised with the aim of boosting security in Bawku. According to Woyongo, the shooting incidents were perpetrated by criminals. He cited a report from Municipal Security Committee which has concluded that the incidents were criminal. He said the violence was sparked shortly after the military in Bawku had undertaken an operation to flush out indian hemp smokers in around the Ghana Commercial Bank area. “Later that evening around 7:30 pm gun shots were heard,” he said adding, it was therefore a purely criminal thing. “These criminals cash in on the conflict. Anytime there is conflict they stand to benefit,” he stated. Officials have however expressed worry about the latest incident, explaining the municipality has been generally peaceful. Municipal authorities are also meeting all ethnic groups in Bawku on Thursday over the development. Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the West African Network for Peace Building, Emmanuel Bombande has described the meeting as rather reactionary. Mr Bombande believes the authorities must call regular meetings among the various ethnic groups to foster peace in the area.