Three tribal wars, 63 deaths!
News that matters in Papua New Guinea
Three tribal wars, 63 deaths!
PORT MORESBY: Three ongoing tribal wars in three districts in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since Feb 10 this year have claimed at least 63 lives.
The first tribal war broke out in Kagua-Erave’s Sugu Valley, Southern Highlands on Feb 10, 2019. The death toll to date is at least 33 but police have managed to stop the fights and are in the midst of mediating peace among at least six warring tribes.
In Western Highlands, the Raipbo and Pulgma Nambka clans started fighting last month (June) and 14 people have died.
The latest deadly tribal fights broke out in Hela’s Tagali – 16 women and two children were slaughtered.
Prime Minister James Marape has declared Tagali “a fighting zone” which allows police officers and soldiers to move in to arrest the killers.
Marape, who is the Tari-Pori Member of Parliament (MP) which covers the fighting zone, said: “This killing is not normal in a tribal fight. This killing has gone beyond the traditional fights’ rules of engagement where only warriors in the battle field are targeted.”
Indeed, such killings are no more about traditional tribal fights. They are just cold blooded murders of pregnant women, women and children.
PNG Cyber Monitor believes the Government has no other choice but to act swiftly to put a stop to such killings anywhere in PNG.
In this 21st Century Information Communications Technology (ICT), there is no room for such merciless and uncivilised slayings.
Such deadly tribal fights must be nipped in the bud or the image of the country will be marred globally, affecting investors and tourists.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a series of news reports on the ongoing bloody and deadly tribal wars:
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:
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| Image for illustration only. For image text, go to https://www.icrc.org/en/papua-new-guinea-tribal-fights (Spears to semi-automatics: The human cost of conflict in Papua New Guinea Highlands) |
Three tribal wars, 63 deaths!
PORT MORESBY: Three ongoing tribal wars in three districts in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since Feb 10 this year have claimed at least 63 lives.
The first tribal war broke out in Kagua-Erave’s Sugu Valley, Southern Highlands on Feb 10, 2019. The death toll to date is at least 33 but police have managed to stop the fights and are in the midst of mediating peace among at least six warring tribes.
In Western Highlands, the Raipbo and Pulgma Nambka clans started fighting last month (June) and 14 people have died.
The latest deadly tribal fights broke out in Hela’s Tagali – 16 women and two children were slaughtered.
Prime Minister James Marape has declared Tagali “a fighting zone” which allows police officers and soldiers to move in to arrest the killers.
Marape, who is the Tari-Pori Member of Parliament (MP) which covers the fighting zone, said: “This killing is not normal in a tribal fight. This killing has gone beyond the traditional fights’ rules of engagement where only warriors in the battle field are targeted.”
Indeed, such killings are no more about traditional tribal fights. They are just cold blooded murders of pregnant women, women and children.
PNG Cyber Monitor believes the Government has no other choice but to act swiftly to put a stop to such killings anywhere in PNG.
In this 21st Century Information Communications Technology (ICT), there is no room for such merciless and uncivilised slayings.
Such deadly tribal fights must be nipped in the bud or the image of the country will be marred globally, affecting investors and tourists.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a series of news reports on the ongoing bloody and deadly tribal wars:
Marape declares LLG in Hela ‘a fighting zone’
By CLIFFORD FAIPARIKPRIME Minister James Marape, pictured, has declared the Tagali local level government in Hela “a fighting zone” which police officers and soldiers will enter to arrest those involved in the killing of 16 women and two children.
“This killing is not normal in a tribal fight,” he said.
“This killing has gone beyond the traditional fights rules of engagement where only warriors in the battle field are targeted.”
He said a State of Emergency currently in force in Hela would be extended to declare the Tagali LLG a fighting zone.
“Police and soldiers now in Hela will go to that area and use every means to round up the suspects and any guns and ammunition,” Marape said.
He sent his condolences to the relatives of those slain.
He also directed Police Minister Bryan Kramer and Hela Governor Philip Undialu to go to Hela today to visit his Tari-Pori electorate.
“Kramer will go there to confirm the number of deaths,” Marape said.
Hela has the LNG project, Kutubu oil field, Mt Kare gold mine and Hides gas that provides electricity to the Porgera mine in Enga.
Marape said the province of more than 400,000 people had since 1975 never had more than 60 officers.
“And because of lack of police presence, law and order problems have gone out of hand,” he said.
“Since 2011, I have been requesting additional police manpower.
“But police presence in the province have never been beefed up.
“That has allowed gunmen to roam around thinking they are heroes.”
Marape said the barbaric killings had prompted the Government to look at the Jerry Singirok and Bire Kimisopa gun reports.
“We will be announcing stiffer penalties like life imprisonment for people illegally in possession of guns and those hiding behind tribal fighting and continue to kill children throughout the country.”
“This killing is not normal in a tribal fight,” he said.
“This killing has gone beyond the traditional fights rules of engagement where only warriors in the battle field are targeted.”
He said a State of Emergency currently in force in Hela would be extended to declare the Tagali LLG a fighting zone.
“Police and soldiers now in Hela will go to that area and use every means to round up the suspects and any guns and ammunition,” Marape said.
He sent his condolences to the relatives of those slain.
He also directed Police Minister Bryan Kramer and Hela Governor Philip Undialu to go to Hela today to visit his Tari-Pori electorate.
“Kramer will go there to confirm the number of deaths,” Marape said.
Hela has the LNG project, Kutubu oil field, Mt Kare gold mine and Hides gas that provides electricity to the Porgera mine in Enga.
Marape said the province of more than 400,000 people had since 1975 never had more than 60 officers.
“And because of lack of police presence, law and order problems have gone out of hand,” he said.
“Since 2011, I have been requesting additional police manpower.
“But police presence in the province have never been beefed up.
“That has allowed gunmen to roam around thinking they are heroes.”
Marape said the barbaric killings had prompted the Government to look at the Jerry Singirok and Bire Kimisopa gun reports.
“We will be announcing stiffer penalties like life imprisonment for people illegally in possession of guns and those hiding behind tribal fighting and continue to kill children throughout the country.”
Two more die in tribal fight in Western Highlands
TWO more people have died in a fight between members of a tribe in Western Highlands, bringing to 14 the death toll so far.
Provincial police commander Jacob Kamiak said fighting between the tribe’s Raipbo and Pulgma Nambka clans began a month ago during a compensation ceremony.
He said situation in the area was tense and described it as a guerrilla warfare as people were “hiding and killing each other”.
Kamiak said police officers had been sent to the area to monitor the situation.
But members of the two clans had moved to a location further away and continued fighting there.
Police are unable to go there to stop the fight.
“Police have been sent several times to that area but the fighting has (moved) into the bush, which is hard for the police to raid,” he said.
“Currently, we are doing everything we can to contain the situation.”
Provincial police commander Jacob Kamiak said fighting between the tribe’s Raipbo and Pulgma Nambka clans began a month ago during a compensation ceremony.
He said situation in the area was tense and described it as a guerrilla warfare as people were “hiding and killing each other”.
Kamiak said police officers had been sent to the area to monitor the situation.
But members of the two clans had moved to a location further away and continued fighting there.
Police are unable to go there to stop the fight.
“Police have been sent several times to that area but the fighting has (moved) into the bush, which is hard for the police to raid,” he said.
“Currently, we are doing everything we can to contain the situation.”
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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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