Sugu Valley death toll rises to 33, cops mulling IGFZ declaration if no peace within two weeks
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| Armed tribal fighters on the move in Sugu Valley. |
Sugu Valley death toll rises to 33, cops mulling IGFZ declaration if no peace within two weeks
PORT MORESBY: The Sugu Valley tribal war death toll has risen to 33 and police are mulling to declare Kagua-Erave an Inter-Group Fighting Zone (IGFZ) or State of Emergency (SoE) if there is no normalcy or peace within two weeks.
The more than four-month-long bloody tribal clashes that started on Feb 10, 2019, are being fought by tribe fighters armed with high-powered firearms, rifles, bows and arrows, and other weapons.
The fighting had stopped for two weeks but erupted on Tuesday (June 18, 2019) with three deaths in a battle that has turned guerrilla.
For update details, PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below reports published by The National:
Death toll rises to 33 as ‘bloody’ fight starts again in SHP
By PISAI GUMARAFTER an apparent two-week “rest and recuperate” hiatus, the Sugu Valley tribal fighters started their bloodbath clashes on Tuesday – claiming three lives.
The death toll for the more than four-month-long battle involving at least six tribes has risen to 33.
The running tribal war is being fought guerilla-style with high powered guns, rifles, bows and arrows, knives and other weapons.
Southern Highlands police commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari confirmed the three killings in the Kagua-Erave valley.
“We thought the situation was back to normalcy as the clashes and fights had stopped for two weeks. But the killings started on Tuesday,” Lakari, who is in Kagua, said.
“Additional policemen and Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel were deployed on Monday to try to stop the bloody fights.
“If security forces fail to restore normalcy and peace within two weeks, the next option is to have the provincial government declare the area as an Inter-Group Fighting Zone (IGFZ), and take its course in Kagua-Erave.
“Once IGFZ is declared, it will give broader powers for security forces to move into the villages, hunt down armed forces and arrest anyone in possession of weapons, be it men, women or children, on the spot.
“The armed tribe fighters will be brought to Mendi, charged and detained to appear in court. But, I believe, with heavy security presence in Kagua and our forces moving into Sugu Valley, the warring tribes may stop fighting or raiding villages.
“I am on the ground and this is my security priority.”
Sugu Valley villager Sixtu Rekari said the Kambiya tribe fighters burnt down some houses in Wapuruvi village and then raided Katiloma, shooting dead two men and razing more houses.
The Katiloma tribe fighters retaliated and killed a Kambiya man.
Meanwhile, local businessman Maita Yawi was upset over the recent three killings and appealed to Kambiya (Ya’ala) tribe to lay down arms, respect human dignity and allow peace and normalcy to prevail.
More fighting and killing are believed to have erupted in Wabesumi involving Sare and Roalomanda council wards.
Perepe and Wambeya leader Rocky Kula said Yawi had courageously intervened to broker peace using his own resources.
Kula said the local community leaders are urging Kagua-Erave district development authority and Southern Highlands government to intervene swiftly to establish neutral peace mediation and negotiation team to bring normalcy.
Kula said that Yawi needed help and support from all government authorities to help restore peace and normalcy in his meetings with warring tribe leaders.
The death toll for the more than four-month-long battle involving at least six tribes has risen to 33.
The running tribal war is being fought guerilla-style with high powered guns, rifles, bows and arrows, knives and other weapons.
Southern Highlands police commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari confirmed the three killings in the Kagua-Erave valley.
“We thought the situation was back to normalcy as the clashes and fights had stopped for two weeks. But the killings started on Tuesday,” Lakari, who is in Kagua, said.
“Additional policemen and Papua New Guinea Defence Force personnel were deployed on Monday to try to stop the bloody fights.
“If security forces fail to restore normalcy and peace within two weeks, the next option is to have the provincial government declare the area as an Inter-Group Fighting Zone (IGFZ), and take its course in Kagua-Erave.
“Once IGFZ is declared, it will give broader powers for security forces to move into the villages, hunt down armed forces and arrest anyone in possession of weapons, be it men, women or children, on the spot.
“The armed tribe fighters will be brought to Mendi, charged and detained to appear in court. But, I believe, with heavy security presence in Kagua and our forces moving into Sugu Valley, the warring tribes may stop fighting or raiding villages.
“I am on the ground and this is my security priority.”
Sugu Valley villager Sixtu Rekari said the Kambiya tribe fighters burnt down some houses in Wapuruvi village and then raided Katiloma, shooting dead two men and razing more houses.
The Katiloma tribe fighters retaliated and killed a Kambiya man.
Meanwhile, local businessman Maita Yawi was upset over the recent three killings and appealed to Kambiya (Ya’ala) tribe to lay down arms, respect human dignity and allow peace and normalcy to prevail.
More fighting and killing are believed to have erupted in Wabesumi involving Sare and Roalomanda council wards.
Perepe and Wambeya leader Rocky Kula said Yawi had courageously intervened to broker peace using his own resources.
Kula said the local community leaders are urging Kagua-Erave district development authority and Southern Highlands government to intervene swiftly to establish neutral peace mediation and negotiation team to bring normalcy.
Kula said that Yawi needed help and support from all government authorities to help restore peace and normalcy in his meetings with warring tribe leaders.
Declaring State of Emergency ‘not fair for SHP’
By REBECCA KUKUPAPUA New Guinea’s Defence Force (PNGDF) Commander Gilbert Toropo says that declaring a State of Emergency (SoE) in Southern Highlands to try and stop the ongoing tribal warfare in Kagua-Erave would be unfair to Southern Highlands.
“The SoE can only be declared if it affected the whole Southern Highlands. When SoE is declared, the provincial government will have to be suspended and everything will be under the control of armed security forces,” he said.
“So there are downsides to having a SoE declared. And it would be unfair to the whole province as it is only affecting an area in Kagua-Erave.”
“The best way forward now is for the provincial Peace and Good Order Committee to work in partnership with local leaders to address the issue or start peace talks.”
Toropo was responding to calls made by MP Wesley Raminai for a SoE to be declared to stop the bloody tribal war that had already claimed 33 lives, including three women, a six-year old and a baby.
He said PNGDF soldiers were still on the ground helping the police to enforce public law and order, and restore peace and normalcy.
“The soldiers will continue to do so,” he added.
In another report, Toropo said the soldiers in Hela, Southern Highlands and Enga will be pulling out at the end of this month.
“We cannot stay on as, then, it would be illegal. We have stabilised security in the three provinces. If the situation worsens after we leave, then another Call Out can be made,” he added.
“The SoE can only be declared if it affected the whole Southern Highlands. When SoE is declared, the provincial government will have to be suspended and everything will be under the control of armed security forces,” he said.
“So there are downsides to having a SoE declared. And it would be unfair to the whole province as it is only affecting an area in Kagua-Erave.”
“The best way forward now is for the provincial Peace and Good Order Committee to work in partnership with local leaders to address the issue or start peace talks.”
Toropo was responding to calls made by MP Wesley Raminai for a SoE to be declared to stop the bloody tribal war that had already claimed 33 lives, including three women, a six-year old and a baby.
He said PNGDF soldiers were still on the ground helping the police to enforce public law and order, and restore peace and normalcy.
“The soldiers will continue to do so,” he added.
In another report, Toropo said the soldiers in Hela, Southern Highlands and Enga will be pulling out at the end of this month.
“We cannot stay on as, then, it would be illegal. We have stabilised security in the three provinces. If the situation worsens after we leave, then another Call Out can be made,” he added.
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