10 dead in tribal fight in Enga
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In Papua New Guinea, tribal violence has been exacerbated by widespread access to firearms. Photograph: Kristina Steiner/The Guardian
Image for illustration only. For image info, go to https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/27/tribal-conflict-worsens-in-papua-new-guinea-as-firearms-rewrite-the-rules
10 dead in tribal fight in Enga
PORT MORESBY: Yet another senseless killing in Papua New Guinea (PNG) when two tribes clashed in Enga leaving 10 men dead, two injured and thousands of Kina worth of properties up in smoke last week.
The deadly clash was sparked by a compensation order for the family of a man who was found dead on the Enga highway near Langi village two months ago.
The details of the sickening violence were reported by The National:
10 killed in fight
June 30, 2021The NationalMain Stories
By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
TEN men are dead, two are injured and thousands of kina worth of properties destroyed during a clash between two clans in Enga, police say.
Provincial police commander Supt Ephenes Nili told The National that two months ago, the body of a man from Mulitaka village was found on the Enga highway near Langi village where the two clans are from.
Because the body of the Mulitaka man was found near Langi village, police asked members of the Timali and Sikinwan clans from the village what they knew about the man’s death.
“Both (clan members) told police that they were not aware of the killing, and did now know who the man was,” Supt Nili said.
He said the village court ordered members of the two clans to pay compensation to the family of the man.
“Because the body was found near the village and the two clans are located near the area, the village court said that K15,000 and 30 pigs be paid to the clan of the deceased,” he said.
A mediation and compensation discussion was arranged for the two clans but only members of the Sikinwan clan came. Because the Timali clan members did not turn up, the mediation was called off.
Supt Nili said the Wabag Secondary School was located in the area and security personnel were protecting government assets there.
He said policemen and soldiers were stationed in the area to maintain law and order.
But last week, a fight broke out between the two clans.
“This time 10 people from Sikinwan were killed and two from Timali were injured,” he said.
He said police were outnumbered.
“It has calmed down and quiet now but policemen and soldiers are maintaining their presence in the area,” he said.
The Government-Autonomous Bougainville Government Joint Supervisory Body will meet in Wabag next week at the invitation of Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas.
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