Herders torch crops, militia assaults farmers in West Darfur

Militiamen reportedly assaulted a group of displaced inhabitants of Murnei camp in West Darfur, causing several casualties. A witness told Radio Dabanga that militiamen wearing uniforms of the Central Reserve Forces (also known as Abu Tira) assaulted a group of displaced farmers from Murnei camp who were tending their farms on Tuesday afternoon. They beat and whipped them, causing various injuries. The witness also reported that in the same area, Mohamed el Wali was shot in both hands by militiamen on Monday. He was transferred to Murnei hospital for treatment. Crops destroyed In Sirba locality in West Darfur, herders have reportedly torched large tracts of farmland and destroyed crops over approximately 2,000 acres. Farmers from the locality told Radio Dabanga that herders graze their camels and cattle on their farmlands by force of arms. The areas most affected are Saraf Jidad, Armankul, Wadi Nakous, Talambo, and Goz Arasho. The farmers demanded that the West Darfur state authorities and the High Committee for the Protection of the Agricultural Season intervene and protect their farmlands so that they can harvest the remaining crops. File photo Related:Militiamen impose ‘protection fees’ on Central Darfur farmers (22 October 2013)Militia ‘siege’ of Mukjar in Central Darfur delays harvest (22 October 2013)