The Minister of Interior, Dr. Kwame Addo Kufuor, has issued a stern warning to perpetrators of conflict in the north to desist from their ignoble act and stated that anyone found culpable would be dealt with in accordance with the law. According to Joy News report, the Minister told residents the government detest violent behaviour and it is therefore prepared to sanction those involved in the conflict regardless of party affiliation. “I have given instruction that those who have been arrested should be sent to Accra for screening and possible prosecution, the cases would not be trial in Tamale.” The Minister, leading a team of government officials to assess the damage caused by the clashes in Gushiegu district and Tamale municipality, called for cooperation to ensure that lasting peace is restored to the region. “Government appeals to all patriotic citizens in the region to cooperate with all the security agencies and the regional peace council to ensure that there is peace and security in the region,” Dr. Addo Kufuor pleaded. The two day conflicts led to the death of three people, many injured, several houses burnt and hundreds of residents were displaced. The Minister is touring the area with representatives of political parties, security agencies, the National Disaster Management Organization, Chiefs and religious leaders. The mission would enable the team to ascertain facts on the ground and faction out the way forward. In a related development, the National Democratic Congress has sent a delegation to the Northern Region to also access the extent of damage caused by the conflicts. Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the party, said the NDC, “as a very responsible political party, we abhor violence. We would not allow violence to be perpetuated in our name”. The team, he said, would try to find out those who are actually behind the violence, take evidence and strategize the way forward. “We want to find out whether the police in conducting their duty have presented themselves as politically neutral,” he noted. The team would visit trouble spots, victims and their families, as well as, security agencies on the ground Members of the team include, E. T. Mensah, Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah himself, National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Hudu Yahaya, Alhaji Idris Mahama and some Members of Parliament from the area. Story by Isaac Essel