Four houses including that of a Village Chairman, in Magara Ward in Babati District have been set on fire recently by villagers due to a dispute over villages demarcation. Other items burnt down included 64 goats, Shs. 500,000/=, two huts ,three sacks of maize, fifteen sacks of animal feed, ten kilogrammes of peas and personal effects.

In the incident, one civilian fired two shots from a gun in order to calm down the commotion. Police however have taken the shells of the cartridges fired through .375 calibre rifle , and they are investigating whether the owner legally possesses the firearm.

Confirming the incident the Regional Police Commander Mr. Akili Mpwapwa said that the incident occurred on February 3, this year at 09:00 a.m. Mr. Mpwapwa said that the value of the actual loss has not yet been established and the source of dispute follows the split of the area into two villages -- Manyara and Magara.

He said that Manyara Village was allocated land alleged to have been set aside by the Magara Village for community - based, Wildlife Management.

He said the dispute was filed in the District Court and later referred to the Babati District Land Tribunal coded case No. 280/2012 which was filed by the Magara Village and slated for hearing on March 6, this year.