Burundian authorities have intensified efforts to disarm civilians after president Pierre Nkurunziza issued a two-month ultimatum to all illegally armed groups to lay down their arms.

However, police officers have also been attacked during night patrols by armed groups, with the government accusing some civil society and opposition groups of perpetrating the killings.

“We have seen an intensification of operations allegedly aimed at seizing illegal weapons in specific neighbourhoods in Bujumbura and in other parts of the country, while young adults seem to be particularly targeted,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

Mr Hussein said the youth are being accused of intending to join rebel groups based in neighbouring countries.

At least 11 people were killed last week, eight of them in Cibitoke — the Bujumbura suburb that has been a hotspot of protests against President Nkurunziza’s third term — police said.

Grenade explosions and gun battles continue in the Burundian capital as citizens worry about the increased insecurity.

“Two criminals were killed and two policemen got injured when the police tried to free the hostages who were kidnapped by the armed criminals. more than 20 grenades were used by these armed men. however in the same suburb six bodies were found laying on the streets ,” said the Burundi deputy police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye.

“We believe that these people were killed by the same armed criminals because there was no police on the ground when it happened.”

Grenade explosions and gun battles have continued in the Burundian capital as citizens worry about the increased insecurity.

Parents in Burundi’s capital have increasingly become worried about their children who may become victims in the police operation.

“my son was arrested after he was found on the streets near home, he had never participated in the protests so i am still waiting to know what he is being accused of,” said one of the parents in a Bujumbura police station.

The government accused the opposition and civil society organizations of using youth in protests against the incumbent but last week granted amnesty to the minors.

READ: Nkurunziza grants pardon to minors arrested during protests