Will peace last in Sugu Valley this round?
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| Sugu Valley armed tribal fighters |
Will peace last in Sugu Valley this round?
PORT MORESBY: Police are hopeful of restoring peace and normalcy in Kagua’s Sugu Valley, Southern Highlands, which has seen tribal fighting and bloodshed since Feb 10, 2019.
The heavy presence of police, led by provincial police commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari, has managed to prevent the bloody tribal clashes after the death toll reached at least 33 on June 18, 2019.
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| Policemen on security patrol in Sugu Valley checking out the war zone. |
The fighting and killings had stopped for about two weeks before violence broke out again on June 18, claiming three lives.
Lakari and his men are camped on the battlefield since June 18 with regular security patrols that had seen no bloody clashes thus far.
Lakari and his men have also been meeting up with warring tribal leaders who have also expressed their wish to stop fighting and restore normalcy.
However, Lakari said Sugu Valley was still a “no go zone”.
Given the long history of tribal feuds and fights in Southern Highlands, will the current “peace” last?
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces an update of the situation as reported by The National:
Police presence stopped tribal fighting: Lakari
By ELIAS LARITHE heavy presence of police has stopped the tribal fighting and bloodshed in Kagua’s Sugu Valley, Southern Highlands.
“We have successfully prevented the clashes of the warring parties and we are also talking to rival tribal leaders to lay down their arms and embrace law and order and peace,” provincial police commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari, pictured, said.
“We have successfully prevented the clashes of the warring parties and we are also talking to rival tribal leaders to lay down their arms and embrace law and order and peace,” provincial police commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari, pictured, said.
He said policemen were camped on the battlefield and conducting patrol operations to prevent rival sides from “meeting each other”.“Besides high powered firearms, the tribal fighters had also used grenades in their clashes.
“Too many have died, there had been massive destruction of properties and the livelihood of villagers have been disrupted,” he added.
Lakari said the warring tribal leaders, after seeing heavy police presence, had decided to give the restoration of peace and normalcy a chance.
“The leaders have also described me as the first police commander to meet and talk to them,” he said after visiting the fighting zone in Kagua-Erave on Saturday.
“The warring leaders have welcomed me and my men in peace. (It is a relief) our presence is making a difference to stop the fighting and bloodshed (that had been waged since Feb 10),” he added.
Lakari described Sugu Valley as still a “no go zone” and that “we are working hard to persuade them to lay down their arms and weapons”.
“Tribal fighting is the worst action people can resort to express their grievances,” he said.
“Leave issues and grievances, law and order, to the police and the courts to handle.
“The villagers have also promised to participate in a peaceful Local Level Government election.”
Lakari said currently the mobile squad, task force and general duty personnel had been deployed for security control.
“We will still be beefing up our presence with more personnel so that the warring tribal fighters stop and withdraw their vengeful intentions.
“What’s gone is gone. We have to return and make a fresh start.
“Tribal fights cannot settle grievances.
“People must change their mindsets and look at addressing their concerns and grievance through the law,” he added.
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