April 9 (ESAT News) - The tension in Gambella is steadily on the rise after the killing of an 18-year old teenager, Tido Kul Ouman. . Last Saturday members of the federal police gunned down the teenager who was participating in a cultural celebrating after he resisted an arrest without proper court papers.

Student, Tido Kul Oman, who was shot to death by Ethiopia Army in Gambella on April 07, 2012 - photo by Anyuak Media - Click here for full size

According to a report issued by Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia, on April 9, 2012, local elders denounce the murder and the alarming level of human rights violations in the region.

The region’s security operation is still handled by national defense forces evocative of regional constitutional and security crises. The members of the defense forces and the federal security officials are sifting through the public in an apparent operation to catch the perpetrators of last month’s massacre of 19 individuals traveling in a bus.

Following the individuals murder, the youth resorted to stone throwing in a show of opposition. The members of the defence forces have continued to go door to door in local hotels and attack and subsequently haul to makeshift prisons youths they deem to be sympathisers of the murdered Anuak.

The inhabitants of the region our reporter has talked to say the level of human right violation has increased over the last several weeks since the national defence forces has taken over the regions mundane security operation. Incidences of random body searches, beatings, and wholesale incarcerations are rife.

One respected elder in his eulogy at the funeral of the murdered.-Tido Kul Ouman- said “We know the level of suffering we are subjected to. We understand how morose our situation is. Nevertheless you all should dies and in fact we all should die on our ancestral land. We all never allow the usurpation of our land. We won’t be dislocated. Don’t fear. Have a strong spirit. Don’t be agents of vengeful spirit. Stand for what is right. Don’t succumb to the mounting problems we are facing. I assure you our son in resting in peace.”

In what observes say is a possible reprisal action, the surrounding youth have burnt down the house of a local business man who they alleged is the person who has tipped Tido to the army.

Tido’s father, Kul Ouman, is the chief of Gog Woreda police station and was disarmed immediately to thwart any possible retaliatory measure on his part.

In another incident, a lady that was fetching water in Abobo province of the region was subjected to inhuman treatment that included charring her flesh with open fire for resiting to inform the whereabouts of her husband. She is currently undergoing treatment at Abobo Hospital.

There are reports of a murdered teacher who was on his way to Gambella town following the still continued strike by teachers; and we have received reports of a Nuer murdered in another village.

Teachers have received their salaries two months overdue. Nevertheless, they have vowed to continue with their strike owing to the fact that promises of ancillary benefits are not yet respected. Students of Gambella College, which is still closed, are seeking assurances from the government for their safety to restart their studies.

Our reporter concluded that the level of tension in the region doesn’t seem to be lessening. Zenawi government’s decision to rule the region with the army has made the situation even worse.