Musoma — The Government plans to put under military control Tarime and Rorya if local authorities in the two districts fail to curb the recurrent inter-tribal clashes within the next six months.

The warning was issued yesterday by the Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, who said the Government has become tired of endless fighting between people belonging to he same ethnic group.

"We are giving the authorities in Tarime and Rorya districts six moths to chart out a plan on how to bring to an end violence, otherwise we shall consider the leaders there redundant," the Premier said here in a speech to mark the climax of Local Governments Day celebrations.

He warned that if the authorities fail to come up with concrete plans to end the senseless perennial violence in their areas, the Government will have no option but to bring in the military.

He stressed that he couldn't't see why the local authorities in the region have failed to contain clashes that have been the cause of death to many innocent people and huge loss of properties.

He said he wwould not hesitate to advice President Kikwete to put those districts under military watch as a method of paving the way for workable measures to curb violence.

"I will advise the President that we put the two districts under army control if you people won't stop fighting," he said, adding: "But such a state of affairs will be most unfortunate, for it will certainly cause a lot of inconvenience to some people."

He charged that recurrent violence and clashes in Tarime and Rorya was a testimony that relevant authorities in the two districts have failed in their responsibilities.

The Premier emphasised that local government authorities in the two districts are wholly responsible for maintaining peace and security.

"There is nobody from outside who will come to solve this problem for you; you have to make sure that violence is contained and in case you fail to fulfill that, the only option will be for the leaders to resign," he told municipal leaders.

Mr Pinda revealed that in its effort to curb recurrent violence in the area, the Government plans to establish an army camp ahead of establishing a special police zone.

Pinda's ultimatum comes as people wait for the Government's resolve to implement a new plan to upgrade policing systems in the violence-prone Mara region. Reports say the plan has been put on hold to await approval of the 2009/10 Budget.

The Government has already approved the establishment of a special police zone for Mara in response to the region's high crime rate.

This move is also aimed at putting into check the frequent inter-clan clashes, especially in Tarime district. Mara region is also notorious for bhang farming and cattle rustling, vices which are catalytic to violence.

The security enhancement system will see Mara region upgraded into a Police Zone like Dar es Salaam. Every district in this region will effectively be a fully-fledged police region.

The deputy minister for Home Affairs, Ambassador Khamis Kagasheki, told The Citizen in February this year that funds for the establishment of the special Police Zone would be set aside in the 2009/10 Budget.

"The police are in the process of drafting a proposal which will be included in the Budget and other modalities for changes which are within their mandate," he said.

The deputy minister said the establishment of a police zone needs intensive planning before implementation.

"We need to bring an end to the suffering and killings of innocent people in Tarime. We are certain that our plan is going to ensure peace and security in the area," he added.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda confirmed the decision to establish the country's second special police zone after Dar es Salaam during an exclusive interview with The Citizen last December.

He said the Government had decided to create a new police zone in Mara because the region required a new approach in tackling security challenges.

Inter-clan clashes have been perennial in Tarime district but in the recent past several villages in Rorya district have also been involved.

Reports show that at least ten people have been killed in clashes that took place last week. This time around, the clashes occurred at four villages in Rorya and Tarime districts.

The clashes were a result of cattle rustling that took place on June 24 at Mang'ore village in Rorya district.

Speaking to The Citizen over the phone last Thursday, Acting Mara Regional Police Commander Stephen Buyuya said the clashes started at around 7.30am at Kitenga village.

He said cattle rustlers invaded Mang'ore village and made away with six head of cattle. The robbed villagers pursued the thieves and on reaching Kitenga village, they identified three of the stolen animals and a fight ensued subsequently.