FOUR HOMES TORCHED IN MADANG DURING INDEPENDENCE NIGHT

By BRADLEY MARIORI

WHILE most of Madang celebrated Papua New Guinea’s 51st Independence in peace, four innocent families at Sisiak 2 spent the night watching their homes burn to the ground.

The homes, belonging to residents from Chambri (2), Maprik (1) and Parinbe (1), were torched in a coordinated arson attack on Independence night.

The victims, described by police as innocent and uninvolved, have now lost everything.

Madang Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Robert Baim, confirmed nine suspects have been arrested, but believes more than 15 people were involved in the attack.

Baim said they suspect the arson may be payback linked to an armed robbery at Sisiak 2 three weeks ago, where a suspect was killed.

He said persons of interest from Chambri and other Sepik groups living in Sisiak 2 allegedly used the situation to target and intimidate peaceful residents. Some Wewak-based persons of interest are also believed to have been in the area.

The Madang police boss said nine in custody are now being investigated not only for arson, but for a string of other crimes including bag-snatching, stealing with violence, and armed robberies along the Sisiak-Beon Road.

Following the attack, frustrated Sisiak 2 residents mobilised against the suspects, forcing them to flee the community.

Superintendent Baim has warned against vigilante retaliation, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands.

In a strong warning to families harbouring criminals, Baim said Police will not hesitate to do family eviction to those families that continue to harbour their children who continue to do criminal activities in Madang. Madang has no space for those that continue to harbour criminals.

Despite the Sisiak 2 incident, Baim commended the rest of the province for peaceful celebrations, thanking the public for showing growth in mindset and change in attitudes.
He also thanked Governor Ramsey Pariwa and Provincial Administrator Daniel Aloi for funding the two-day celebrations.

Police investigations are continuing, with residents urged to report suspicious activities to the Criminal Investigation Division.