There are reports of simmering tensions at the Juaso in the Asahnti Akyem District of the Ashanti Region. The reports say armed policemen numbering about sixty have surrounded the Juasu Palace on Friday morning March 14, 2008. The tension is linked to a protracted chieftaincy dispute between the chief, Nana Kwesi Prempeh and a claimant to the stool, Sarpong Gyeabuor. The dispute has defied all solutions since the 1990s. The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, ACP Seth Charles Oteng told Joy News that the police presence in the town followed a court order received from a circuit court. The order, according to him directed Nana Prempeh to hand over all stool property in his custody to the king makers of Juaso. Given the history of chieftaincy conflicts in the area the police decided to act to prevent a possible escalation of violence in the town. He said the police had anticipated the outbreak of renewed violence because of the court’s directive and therefore decided to beef up security in the area. The youth, he said had amassed in readiness for violence. He said the gathering of many young people in larger numbers than usual proved the police right. ACP Oteng said the chief had left the town and so the court order could not be executed. The police would leave the area if the tension dies down, he noted.