Herders attacks injure 12 in Nysa, Central Darfur

Witnesses informed Radio Dabanga that twelve villagers from Nysa, North Darfur, got severely injured due to attacks of herders on Tuesday. The victims include three children and three women. Witnesses say they got hurt after herders retaliated against local farmers over a damage compensation dispute. Onlookers said the 12 victims were brought to a Garsela hospital for treatment and that two of them were transferred to Zalingei for surgery, due to their critical condition. According to a victim’s relative, herders riding camels and horses attacked the people in Nysa, a village 5km west of Garsela, Central Darfur locality. He added the attack took place because the herders’ livestock damaged several farms. The source explained the farmers locked up the livestock until the herders arrived and decided on a compensation for the damage, according to the local tradition. The witness affirmed that instead of agreeing on a compensation, the herders attacked random people from the village using batons, wires and riffle butts. He added the victims were insulted with racial slurs. Afterwards, the herders released their livestock. The victims said the police of Garsela did not arrest the perpetrators.