Police in the Eastern Region have arrested 72 people in Senchi for disturbing the peace in the area.

The suspects were arrested on suspicion of "provocation of riots and unlawful assembly."

The arrested persons include the son of the queen mother of Senchi, who is believed to have mobilized the suspects and sent them to the town.

The arrest is in connection with a chieftaincy dispute in the area. Regional Police PRO ASP Nketia Yeboah confirmed the arrest to Joy News' Joseph Opoku Gakpo.

According to the PRO, last week the Odikro of Senkyi area informed the police about an attack on him, a case they have begun investigations into.

However the police picked up other information indicating that the Odikro had mobilised a mob from Accra to protect him and foment trouble.

"The police in the region moved in to arrest 72 of the suspects and also arrested Odinkro Minta who is the son of the queen mother," ASP Nketia Yeboah said.

Joy News' Eastern Region correspondent Kofi Siaw said calm has returned to the area after simmering tension early on in the day.

He said the area has been a hub for protracted chieftaincy dispute which has raged for over a decade.

The residents hope the situation will be resolved as soon as possible to bring lasting peace to the area.