Police have fired gunshots in Kanyama to disperse angry mobs of rioting residents.

And a contingent of soldiers has since been deployed in the area to help contain the unrest.

Kanyama residents are rioting following government’s directive to ban open trading in the township which is under night curfew to contain the cholera outbreak.

The rioting residents have also set ablaze one of the donated trucks used to collect garbage in the wake of the Cholera outbreak.

Police officers were forced to fire tear gas canisters earlier after the residents started throwing stones at security forces cleaning up the area.

Meanwhile, Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo who confirmed the riots said the situation was under control, but News Diggers’ photojournalist Tenson Mkhala who is behind police lines reports that several gunshot were heard a while ago as residents scampered in all directions leaving resilient ones still pelting object at the officers.

Katongo further disputed rumours going round that an officer died after being overpowered and beaten by the rioters.

“The riot is there. Currently under control. Officers still on the ground. No officer has died. The operation is still on and Commissioner Phiri is on the ground. We will give a comprehensive statement,” Katongo said.

Meanwhile Katongo said a similar uprising was emerging in Misis compound but officers were quick to contain the situation.