At least 71 people were killed and 36 others injured in armed clashes in the Lakes State of south Sudan, Miraya FM radio which belongs to the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) reported on Wednesday.

"At least 71 people were reportedly killed and 36 were wounded in clashes between the clans of Rumbek East and Rumbek North counties of the Lakes State," Miraya FM quoted David Marial Gumke, Commissioner of Rumbek East County, as saying.

"The fighting was due to cattle raiding," added the commissioner.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Cueibet County, Isaac Mayoum Malek, said that at least 38 people were also killed in a separate incident in the county, adding that the authorities of the Lakes State has deployed army in the stricken areas, according to the report.

Many areas in south Sudan witness repeated armed clashes between the tribes due to cattle raiding.