The state deputy governor, Nartisio Manir Loluke remarked on Saturday that the flag of the new nation should not be raised while the region is infested of criminals.
He emphasized that law breakers should be arrested before the country gains independence to avoid any more bloodshed.
Mr. Loluke also noted that the directive to arrest suspected criminals was given to chiefs by the legal counsel of the state in accordance to section 143 of the Criminal Procedures Act 2008.
The deputy governor made the statements while handing over about 20 heads of recovered cattle to the owners at the state secretariat in Torit town.
He also paraded two suspects arrested in connection to cattle raiding and killing of people during the raids.