2-YEAR TRIBAL FIGHT REIGNITES IN SHP

By Vonu LIBITINO

A tribal fight along the Kandep & Mendi-Munihi Border in Southern Highlands Province (SHP) has seen 4 people killed, according to the Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Epenes Nili.

Speaking to this newsroom, PPC Nili explained that this fight initially started some 2 years ago, when the two factions had a disagreement over a piece of land.

“The fighting started again 2 weeks ago and 4 lives have already been lost, as well as many properties damaged.

I placed my policemen between the two warring factions, after issuing a preventive order, but this order has been now been breached.

Once the warrant orders are ready, we will effect arrests on the tribe leaders who signed this preventive order,” PPC Nili said.

The PPC said the fighting has intensified, particularly with the use of high-powered & sophisticated guns.

“I felt that the lives of my men on the ground would be at risks, if they were caught in the crossfire, so I had to pull them out [of the warzone] yesterday, however, they will continue to patrol the area, to protect government property and the lives of the people,” PPC Nili explained.

Civilians have access to and regularly use sophisticated guns in tribal fights; a challenge that Police continue to grapple with, according to PPC Nili.

“It is normal for civilians to have high-powered guns in their house.

And it would be risky for us [police] to just go into the villages and try to confiscate these dangerous weapons.

If we encounter a civilian along the highway with the weapon, then we are able to confiscate this weapon otherwise, people will not voluntarily give up these weapons,” Nili said.

PPC Nili suggested the Government consider introducing a buy back policy for guns, to help Police manage the circulation of these dangerous weapons in the Upper Highlands Region.

Aside from this, the Southern Highlands Provincial Government, under the leadership of Governor William Powi, the Provincial Administrator and respective MPs, are playing an active role to maintain law and order in the province, as stated by PPC Nili.

This was seen with the recruitment of 300 police reservists, all of whom will commence their 10-week training program today (Monday 14/10/24) at the Gusap Reserve Training Center in Lae, Morobe Province.