RELATIVES OF DECEASED FEMALE STUDENTS SAY NO TO COMPENSATION, BUT CALL FOR JUSTICE
By Vicky Baunke in Goroka EHP
THE relatives of two female students including a relative, that died in a horrific house fire in Western Highlands have reassured their stands to receive no compensation and to let the preparators in the act face the full course of justice.
The two late female students Tabitha Magimoor and Josepha Nuan, and Charles Thomas, Tabitha’s half-brother, died in a tragic house fire last month (Friday, 21st November) which according to police reports, is election related.
According to police reports, the arson was in relation to a retaliation in the LLG Elections that resulted in the burning of more than 20 houses at Moikep Village outside Mt Hagen.
The body of Late Josepha was repatriated by her paternal family from Unggai Bena in Eastern Highlands 2days ago while the body of late Tabitha will be repatriated by relatives to Okapa her final resting place today.
Speaking to the media yesterday evening family members of the deceased said the immediate family will not receive any form of payment or ‘bel kol’ money as out of court settlement which is a common norm in the Upper Highlands in solving law and order issues of such nature.
Late Tabitha Family’s Spokesperson Max Koti and Late Josepha Nuan’s family representative Kamcy Yamba clarified.
Both families have also clarified that there has been no road blocks conducted along the Highway as circulated on social media by the immediate family of the two deceased.
Mr Koti clarified that a post motem is currently being conducted on late Josepha’s body to determine the details surrounding the cause of death and a similar post motem test will be conducted on Late Tabitha’s body.
Meanwhile, Acting Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander Senior Inspector Ben Neneo says there has been no road blocks conducted along the Highlands Highway as circulated by social media users.
PPC Neneo strongly warned oppotunists trying to take advantage of the situation to harass those travelling along the Highway to refrain from conducting such activities as it is illegal and those caught by police will be dealt with accordingly by law.
He also thanked the relatives of both deceased for respecting the law and allowing justice to take its course in the matter as police investigations continue.
