The incident in the northern town of Waldiya follows days after Addis Ababa grief to brush up its human rights record by releasing political prisoners

The killings, in the Amhara region some 500km north of the capital Addis Ababa, happened on the second day of the Epiphany celebrations where worshippers in this East African nation mark the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Security forces responded with force when youths in the town tried to attack officers who were patrolling the holiday procession areas.

Woldiya residents say the measures taken by the security forces were excessive and feared the death toll was higher. A number of hotels, restaurants and shops were burned down by angry protesters.

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