Cops, soldiers move in to stop Sugu Valley bloodbath
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| “Tribal warriors” armed with rifles, bows and arrows on the move in Sugu Valley. |
Cops, soldiers move in to stop Sugu Valley bloodbath
PORT MORESBY: Extra police and defence security personnel are being mobilised into Sugu Valley to stop the tribal war that has to date claimed at least 30 lives.
The tribal feud, being waged since Feb 10, 2019, involved the use of telescopic firearms, binoculars and communication devices.
The National reported that this had given rise to villagers suspecting that the unabated raging bloody tribal battles could be funded by someone or organisation with a hidden agenda.
How else could the the so called tribal warriors afford such firearms, rifles and devices?
Local businessman Maita Yawi addressing villagers on the need to restore peace. He has been using his own resources since March to broker peace with warring tribal leaders.
Villagers putting up a blockade to dissuade so called tribal warrior from invading their territory.
In another tribal fighting in Chimbu’s Gumine this week, 10 people were killed.
Houses in five villages, a health centre and even a police station were razed!
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below an update of the ongoing deadly tribal clashes in Sugu and Chimbu as reported by The National:
Appeal for peace
By PISAI GUMARTHE blood-splattered Sugu Valley tribal battles being waged by at least six tribes since Feb 10 involved the use of telescopic firearms, binoculars and communication devices.
The bullets fired from such firearms can hit targets as far as 850m.
This has given rise to villagers suspecting that the unabated raging tribal war could be funded by someone or organisation with a hidden agenda.
To date, the death toll from the running battles is at least 30 men, women, children and babies.
The so-called tribal warriors are also armed with rifles, bows and arrows, knives and other “weapons”.
Southern Highlands police commander Martin Lakari has urged and appealed to the warring tribes to lay down their arms to facilitate peace negotiations.
He said the fighting and killing had stopped for two weeks but rival tribes were now focused on protecting their tribal members, themselves and defending their territories.
“This reflects the need for peace negotiations to begin.”
Local businessman Maita Yawi, who has been using his own resources to fund visits to rival tribes with supporters to broker peace since early May, said the ongoing tribal war clashes were merciless.
“This is an awful and senseless situation,” he said.
“Unarmed innocent children and women are killed. It requires immediate government and church interventions for peace and normalcy.
“Thousands of women and children are homeless after their houses were razed.
“They have fled seeking refuge in the forest, caves and hills of Popa-Naguri, Tema-Pablato and Ilimikusu. They live in makeshift shelters that are unfit for human habitation and are exposed to disease outbreaks.”
The unrest has also halted the progress of the million-kina road construction from Kagua to link Erave, Moro and Kikori. “Socio-economic development efforts along the basin are now in tatters,” Yawi said, adding that tribal leaders must stop the war, sit down and negotiate for peace.
“It may take a while to restore normalcy to everyone’s lives as both private and government facilities are in ashes.
“But it is my heart and cry for peace of mind to prevail amongst the Kagua-Erave people.
“I am determined to restore peace with the help of God and I appeal to churches, governments and non-government organisations to support and help me broker peace for the villagers.”
Yawi said his determination and commitment to intervene and try to restore normalcy and peace had no political or any agenda
“Culturally, the forefathers of both rival groups supported my forefathers in traditional warfare. Therefore, I am left in a neutral position to help broker for peace between the rival tribes,” he added.
The bullets fired from such firearms can hit targets as far as 850m.
This has given rise to villagers suspecting that the unabated raging tribal war could be funded by someone or organisation with a hidden agenda.
To date, the death toll from the running battles is at least 30 men, women, children and babies.
The so-called tribal warriors are also armed with rifles, bows and arrows, knives and other “weapons”.
Southern Highlands police commander Martin Lakari has urged and appealed to the warring tribes to lay down their arms to facilitate peace negotiations.
He said the fighting and killing had stopped for two weeks but rival tribes were now focused on protecting their tribal members, themselves and defending their territories.
“This reflects the need for peace negotiations to begin.”
Local businessman Maita Yawi, who has been using his own resources to fund visits to rival tribes with supporters to broker peace since early May, said the ongoing tribal war clashes were merciless.
“This is an awful and senseless situation,” he said.
“Unarmed innocent children and women are killed. It requires immediate government and church interventions for peace and normalcy.
“Thousands of women and children are homeless after their houses were razed.
“They have fled seeking refuge in the forest, caves and hills of Popa-Naguri, Tema-Pablato and Ilimikusu. They live in makeshift shelters that are unfit for human habitation and are exposed to disease outbreaks.”
The unrest has also halted the progress of the million-kina road construction from Kagua to link Erave, Moro and Kikori. “Socio-economic development efforts along the basin are now in tatters,” Yawi said, adding that tribal leaders must stop the war, sit down and negotiate for peace.
“It may take a while to restore normalcy to everyone’s lives as both private and government facilities are in ashes.
“But it is my heart and cry for peace of mind to prevail amongst the Kagua-Erave people.
“I am determined to restore peace with the help of God and I appeal to churches, governments and non-government organisations to support and help me broker peace for the villagers.”
Yawi said his determination and commitment to intervene and try to restore normalcy and peace had no political or any agenda
“Culturally, the forefathers of both rival groups supported my forefathers in traditional warfare. Therefore, I am left in a neutral position to help broker for peace between the rival tribes,” he added.
Forces sent to beef up security in Sugu Valley
By PISAI GUMARADDITIONAL police and PNG Defence Force (PNGDF) personnel are being deployed to beef up security operations to stop the ongoing tribal war that had been waged in Sugu Valley since Feb 10.
Southern Highlands police commander Martin Lakari, pictured, said a police task force was deployed earlier to Kagua to monitor and neutralise the tension.
“Additional force comprising police mobile squads and PNGDF will be deployed next week,” Lakari added.
“I am leading about 60 men to camp and talk to warring tribal leaders to lay down arms and facilitate peace talks and negotiations.
“We must proceed with mediation efforts because the fight has stopped for two weeks.”
He said all available manpower and additional men would be deployed to restore public law and order.
“We will also work in collaboration with the Southern Highlands government peace mediation committee to visit the camps of warring tribes and discuss with their leaders on how to restore peace,” he said.
“The efforts to broker peace with the committee will commence next week.”
Lakari said the fighting and killing had stopped but “tension is still high”.
“I appeal to all warring tribes to lay down arms and talk peace because many lives have been lost, houses and government properties destroyed, leaving thousands of families homeless,” he said.
“Police and PNGDF are the law enforcing arms of the Government that will reach out to enemy territories to conduct awareness and negotiate for peace mediation to begin.”
Akar’s Ya’ala tribe leader Justin Mapi told The National at Angema Village on Saturday that any peace talk and assistance should involve local businessman Maita Yawi.
“He has braved bad and good times since the start of the tribal feuds, initiating efforts to neutralise tensions and brokering for peace talks,” he said.
“He has met and talked to the warring tribal leaders.
“That is why he should be involved in the latest peace efforts launched by the police and government committee.”
Southern Highlands police commander Martin Lakari, pictured, said a police task force was deployed earlier to Kagua to monitor and neutralise the tension.
“Additional force comprising police mobile squads and PNGDF will be deployed next week,” Lakari added.
“I am leading about 60 men to camp and talk to warring tribal leaders to lay down arms and facilitate peace talks and negotiations.
“We must proceed with mediation efforts because the fight has stopped for two weeks.”
He said all available manpower and additional men would be deployed to restore public law and order.
“We will also work in collaboration with the Southern Highlands government peace mediation committee to visit the camps of warring tribes and discuss with their leaders on how to restore peace,” he said.
“The efforts to broker peace with the committee will commence next week.”
Lakari said the fighting and killing had stopped but “tension is still high”.
“I appeal to all warring tribes to lay down arms and talk peace because many lives have been lost, houses and government properties destroyed, leaving thousands of families homeless,” he said.
“Police and PNGDF are the law enforcing arms of the Government that will reach out to enemy territories to conduct awareness and negotiate for peace mediation to begin.”
Akar’s Ya’ala tribe leader Justin Mapi told The National at Angema Village on Saturday that any peace talk and assistance should involve local businessman Maita Yawi.
“He has braved bad and good times since the start of the tribal feuds, initiating efforts to neutralise tensions and brokering for peace talks,” he said.
“He has met and talked to the warring tribal leaders.
“That is why he should be involved in the latest peace efforts launched by the police and government committee.”
10 people killed in tribal fighting
TRIBAL fighting in Chimbu’s Gumine this week has resulted in the death of 10 people and destruction of homes in five villages as well as a health centre and police station.
The violence was sparked from the Easter Games.
Accountant and a local from the Nabuke ward Willie Kolua Kopi said the fight had started in April and involved villagers who were allegedly playing for a cash prize.
The Nabuke team beat the Koban to earn K1,800 when another team started a fight which involved other tribes. Kopi said the Nabuke team captain Yalkuru Delwage, 23, was chased by locals to Ulale village and was shot and killed and his body mutilated.
“The death caused more fighting among the villages where several houses were destroyed, but was brought under control by the village elders and community leaders,” Kopi said.
“On Tuesday the fighting erupted again and 10 wards fought against two wards.”
Gaulma,Kaban,Uriyalkomongl, Kobankenku, Uriborikipa, Filewaneli, Nomria, Berignl, Dom, Kopanmiligon wards fought against Nebuka and Ainaku.
Kopi said six people from the 10 wards and four from their opponent wards died.
He said a peace officer from the Gumine Village Court was shot, police station was destroyed along with other government properties.
More than 20 houses were burnt in the villages with women and children fleeing their homes and seeking refuge in other villages in the district.
“We want Gumine MP Nick Kuman and the authorities to send in the police to stop the fighting,” Kopi said.
Kopi said the fighters were using high powered guns, bush knives and axes.
Chimbu administrator Michaela Temai said the first fight had been resolved two weeks ago with a peace ceremony among the tribes witnessed by Kuman and provincial authorities.
Temai said government officers were in Gumine to assess the situation and he expected a report this week.
“I am waiting for the report. Law and order officers in the province have already met to discuss the deployment of police personnel on the ground,” Temai said.
He called on the province and district leaders to meet to address the violence.
Police eastern command assistant commissioner Nema Mondiai said he was already aware of the fight but had not received a formal report.
“I am still waiting for the reports to reach my office,” Mondiai said.
Provincial police commander Inspector Jacob Singura could not be reached for comment.
The violence was sparked from the Easter Games.
Accountant and a local from the Nabuke ward Willie Kolua Kopi said the fight had started in April and involved villagers who were allegedly playing for a cash prize.
The Nabuke team beat the Koban to earn K1,800 when another team started a fight which involved other tribes. Kopi said the Nabuke team captain Yalkuru Delwage, 23, was chased by locals to Ulale village and was shot and killed and his body mutilated.
“The death caused more fighting among the villages where several houses were destroyed, but was brought under control by the village elders and community leaders,” Kopi said.
“On Tuesday the fighting erupted again and 10 wards fought against two wards.”
Gaulma,Kaban,Uriyalkomongl, Kobankenku, Uriborikipa, Filewaneli, Nomria, Berignl, Dom, Kopanmiligon wards fought against Nebuka and Ainaku.
Kopi said six people from the 10 wards and four from their opponent wards died.
He said a peace officer from the Gumine Village Court was shot, police station was destroyed along with other government properties.
More than 20 houses were burnt in the villages with women and children fleeing their homes and seeking refuge in other villages in the district.
“We want Gumine MP Nick Kuman and the authorities to send in the police to stop the fighting,” Kopi said.
Kopi said the fighters were using high powered guns, bush knives and axes.
Chimbu administrator Michaela Temai said the first fight had been resolved two weeks ago with a peace ceremony among the tribes witnessed by Kuman and provincial authorities.
Temai said government officers were in Gumine to assess the situation and he expected a report this week.
“I am waiting for the report. Law and order officers in the province have already met to discuss the deployment of police personnel on the ground,” Temai said.
He called on the province and district leaders to meet to address the violence.
Police eastern command assistant commissioner Nema Mondiai said he was already aware of the fight but had not received a formal report.
“I am still waiting for the reports to reach my office,” Mondiai said.
Provincial police commander Inspector Jacob Singura could not be reached for comment.
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