Information reaching Faceofmalawi indicates that there are running battles between police and villagers in Dowa District.

The villagers from the area of Traditional Authority Chiwere are against the decision by the Ministry of the Local Government and Rural Development to install the new Senior Chief following death of Senior Chief Chiwere last year.

The group says proper procedures were not followed in the appointment saying Chiwere is not of Chewa origin.

Dowa District Commissioner Alex Mdooko has told the press that the function has been called off.

Mdooko said the function has been called off on safety grounds.