The opposition has lashed out at the Government following its decision to place Tarime and Rorya districts under military rule to end recurrent tribal clashes.

Fresh tribal clashes in the two districts two weeks ago claimed at least 30 lives and displaced hundreds of villagers, according to some media reports.

Leaders of the main opposition parties said the Government's decision to adopt military rule to end the bitter conflicts was "ridiculous" and "ill-advised".

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda made the announcement recently following fresh tribal clashes blamed on rampant cattle rustling in the two districts.

The Civic United Front (CUF) and Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) dismissed the idea, saying military rule would not work.

"It is ridiculous. How can they say they want to address the problem through military rule after six months while people are continuously dying? Why is the Government not acting?" queried CUF national chairman, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba.

A Chadema leader, Mr Victor Kimesera, said the only solution would be found when the Government had done a "research to establish the root of the problem, not using military rule".

"Resolving such a crisis requires the involvement of members of the feuding clans, sending soldiers will not help," he said.

Prof Lipumba said the idea to delay intervening showed that the Government "does not care about the welfare of the people".

He said: "How many people will die from the clashes in the next six months? This planned delay amounts to complicit in human rights abuses."

The CUF leader said the Government should stop pretending that the tribal clashes in the two districts were a new thing.

"This is fighting has been going on for a long time, we wonder why the Government needs six more months to act."

He also urged the involvement of feuding clans in resolving the conflict, and security agents to deal with the criminal elements linked to the fighting.

Last month, Special Seat MP Rose Kirigini urged the Government to involve more people in efforts to resolve recurrent fighting between the villagers.

A few months ago, the police deployed a peacekeeping mission to maintain a heavy presence in the troubled Tarime District to tackle the tribal violence.