Twelve persons are reported dead after fresh violence erupted at Bawku in the Upper East Region yesterday following a bloody New Year clash between the Mamprusis and Kusasis. Sporadic gunshots could also be heard intermittently throughout the day. Residents told the media apart from the five deaths recorded at the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, seven more died on Tuesday but their bodies were not taken to the hospital. They said two persons were killed at the New Station; three at Natinga, near the hospital and two others died near the Water and Sewerage Office. This, they said, occurred despite the presence of the Military, who are patrolling the Township in armoured vehicles. Two of the deceased were seen lying on the ground whilst the other was dumped in a donkey cart. The Divisional Crime Officer, Isaac Akligbe led newsmen to the Presbyterian Bawku Hospital mortuary where three bodies had been deposited pending autopsy. According to Reverend Jacob Wandumsi, Chaplain of the hospital, the deceased were pronounced dead on arrival. Mr Alhassan Samari, Upper East Regional Minister, told newsmen on Tuesday after he had toured the affected areas in the Municipality to assess the situation, that 15 people had so far been arrested. He said they had been charged with possessing unlicensed weapons, causing damage to a police vehicle and blocking roads, adding that they were in Police custody pending further investigations. Mr Samari said 165 police personnel were deployed and 150 more would be added. Furthermore, a number of Military personnel from the Tamale Air Borne Force would be added to the 70 soldiers already on the ground. He indicated that checkpoints would be mounted at vantage points in the region, particularly in the Bawku area. Source: Daily Guide