TWO ARRESTED OVER MAROT KETENO MURDER; POLICE WARNS AGAINST RETALIATORY KILLINGS
CAPTION: Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander Cheif Superintendent Albert Beli
By VICKY BAUNKE, Goroka, EHP
POLICE in Eastern Highlands Province have detained two suspects allegedly linked to the September 16 killing of Marot Keteno, as authorities move to prevent possible retaliatory violence following reports of planned payback killings.
Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Albert Beli confirmed the arrests in a media statement, saying the two suspects had been identified as the main suspects allegedly involved in the killing.
The suspects are currently detained at Goroka Police Station and will be charged once police complete the necessary processes, with their court files being prepared for their appearance before court.
PPC Beli’s confirmation comes with a strong warning to relatives of the deceased and members of the community not to take the law into their own hands.
He said police had received reports of people allegedly attempting to carry out payback killings, which he strongly condemned.
“The principal offenders are now in police custody,” PPC Beli said, warning that anyone who retaliates will also face police action.
He said retaliatory violence would only create another crime and potentially trigger further conflict.
“I am calling on the family members of the late deceased to assist the police instead of taking the law into their own hands,” PPC Beli said.
“A wrong has been done, and we must let the law take its course. We must not create another wrong because that will not fix what has happened; it will only lead to bigger problems.”
PPC Beli said the arrests should allow the matter to proceed through the formal justice system and urged relatives and community members to cooperate with investigators.
He also acknowledged the work of police officers and community leaders who assisted in bringing forward the two main suspects under investigation.
The two suspects will remain in police custody and are expected to appear in court once their files are ready, according to PPC Beli.
The police warning comes amid continued concerns about retaliatory violence in communities where unresolved killings can trigger further attacks and deepen existing tensions.
PPC Beli said the focus must now remain on allowing police and the courts to deal with the alleged offenders rather than creating further victims through revenge attacks.
