The Ethiopian police said Wednesday they have put under control a number of members of the rebel Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), along with their 1,124 arms and 42 hand grenades.

In south Ethiopia's Oromia State where OLF members are active, "peace and security is reliable owing to the concerted efforts of the state police and the public," said a police statement.

Members of the OLF and other anti-peace forces clandestinely made efforts to instigate violence in various towns of the Oromia State, said the statement.

The statement said a teacher, named Goshu Feyisa, was shot and killed by OLF members in Mida Kegni Woreda of Western Shoa Zone late last month.

Similarly, a militia, by the name Mamuye Fekadu who lived in the Cheliya Woreda in the same zone, was killed in ambush by OLF members on Sunday, it said.

OLF members also shot and killed police officer Amdisa Bogale in Ginchi town of Dendi Woreda last week, the statement said.

It said that though these anti-peace forces killed security forces in Guduru Woreda in Eastern Wollega Zone, they were put under control with their arms through collective efforts of security forces and the public.

Similarly, seven OLF members, who were clandestinely operating in Degem Woreda of North Shoa Zone to commit crimes, were caught red-handed with their hand grenades through tips off from the public, the statement said.

The statement said police have remained vigilant of OLF members and other anti-peace forces, who bent on hampering ongoing development endeavors.

The OLF evolved from a political party into an armed movement nine years ago, claiming that the rights of the Oromo people, who make up almost 40 percent of Ethiopia's 70 million, were not being respected.

The OLF are now fighting Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government for the independence of the Oromo region from the rest of Ethiopia.

Source: Xinhua