Residents of Kanyangese Cell in Rugarama Sector, Gatsibo District, have raised alarm over a group of young men locally known as “Imparata,” accusing them of destroying crops while carrying out illegal mining activities in their farms.
The residents say the group frequently invades cultivated fields at night, digging for stones and minerals and leaving behind widespread destruction in plantations of cassava, sorghum, bananas, and other crops.
According to affected farmers, the suspected illegal miners uproot crops and excavate farmland in search of valuable stones, causing significant losses to households that depend heavily on agriculture for survival.
Residents further claim the group often operates in large numbers and carries traditional weapons including machetes and hammers, creating fear among community members and making it difficult for farmers to confront them.
Some residents allege that individuals who attempt to question the group are threatened and intimidated.
The locals say the problem has persisted despite repeated complaints to local authorities, accusing officials of asking them to document the damage without taking decisive measures to stop the activities.
They are now calling for stronger intervention to dismantle the group and restore security in the area.
Speaking to Radio1, the Executive Secretary of Rugarama Sector, Muhizi Toussin, confirmed that several suspects linked to the group had already been arrested and would be held accountable for the destruction caused.
“We are continuing operations to arrest all of them. Five were arrested yesterday, while 10 others had previously been apprehended. They cannot leave the justice system before compensating residents for the losses they caused,” he said.
Beyond compensation for destroyed crops, residents are also demanding support to rehabilitate farmland damaged by the illegal mining activities, saying some fields have been left unusable after extensive excavation.
