GE22-related violence and deaths: 29 dead
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The ill-fated Isuzu truck that ferried more than 17 people and foodstuff.
GE22-related violence and
deaths: 29 dead
PORT MORESBY: General Election 2022 (GE22)-related
violence and deaths are rising fast and the death toll to date is 29.
The latest deadly
clashes of rival supporters of GE22 candidates occurred in Kainantu town when
supporters of two candidates clashed on Friday (June 10, 2022).
Two men were shot dead
in the clash, several were critically injured and four vehicles were torched.
Business houses were
closed over the Queen’s Birthday weekend while the situation was tense with
police on full alert.
The scene at the Mt Hagen General Hospital.
On Sunday (June 12,
2022), 16 people died when an Isuzu truck, overloaded with GE22 campaign
supporters, plunged down a cliff on the Tomba Freeway in Western Highlands’ Nebilyer.
Many others also sustained multriple injuries.
They were on their way to Tambul-Nebilyer MP and Defence Minister Win Bakri
Daki’s campaign base with foodstuff when the tragic road accident occurred.
And Prime Minister James
Marape has reiterated his appeal to Papua New Guineans to be in their best behavior
and help refrain from resorting to any form of violence in GE22.
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a few news updates on GE22 as published by The National:
Death toll 29
June 14, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
By GYNNIE KERO, REBECCA KUKU, JILL MIRR and
ZACHERY PER
GENERAL Election 2022
(GE22)-related violence and deaths are rising fast and the death toll reported
by the media to date is 29.
The latest deadly clashes of rival supporters of GE22 candidates occurred in
Kainantu town when supporters of two candidates clashed on Friday.
Two men were shot dead in the clash, several were critically injured and four
vehicles were torched.
Business houses were closed over the Queen’s Birthday weekend while the
situation was tense with police on full alert.
On Sunday, 16 people died when an Isuzu truck, overloaded with GE22 campaign
supporters, plunged down a cliff on the Tomba Freeway in Western Highlands’
Nebilyer.
Many others also sustained multiple injuries. They were on their way to
Tambul-Nebilyer MP and Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki’s campaign base with
foodstuff when the tragic road accident occurred.
And Prime Minister James Marape has reiterated his appeal to Papua New Guineans
to be in their best behaviour and help refrain from resorting to any form of
violence in GE22.
“Please respect the laws of the country. And I remind all that the Firearms Law
has been amended and the maximum life sentence awaits those who carry or use
firearms illegally,” Marape said.
Kainantu MP and Mining Minister Johnson Tuke said his convoy of vehicles was
stoned by supporters of a rival GE22 candidate.
“That resulted in mayhem, killings and destruction of vehicles,” he said.
Tuke said he was on his way into Kainantu town to launch his campaign posters
and to publicly dispel a rumour that he was dead when his convoy was attacked.
A Kainantu hopeful Dr Tara Susukea said he had no idea about the violence
triggered by so-called supporters of a candidate.
“The supporters, especially women, were jumping, chanting, dancing and lifting
their shirts or dresses shaking, exposing their asses and pants that angered
the public,” he said. “The first stone was thrown near the service station road
leading to Aiyura by the public.
“I was with 18 of my boys protecting my hardware shop, private clinic and my
vehicle and taking refuge when the violence broke out.”
The mayhem left four vehicles destroyed, two torched and two others stripped of
parts and several injured.
Tuke confirmed the vehicles were his and 15 people sustained serious injuries.
He could not confirm the two deaths.
A separate visit to Kainantu Hospital confirmed the deaths.
Nurse Ebo Ariota said the first death occurred right after the incident. “The
other was brought to the hospital a few hours later and another critically
injured was referred to Goroka hospital,” she said.
“These are the only ones reported to the hospital. Many others injured were not
reported.”
Eastern Highlands Commander Supt Michael Welly also confirmed that supporters
from two candidates clashed Kainantu town.
He said two men died from gunshot wounds during the confrontation between the
supporters of both candidates.
16 people killed in
accident
June 14, 2022The NationalMain Stories
Many others also sustained multiple injuries. They were on their way to
Tambul-Nebilyer MP and Defence Minister Win Bakri Daki’s campaign base with
foodstuff when the tragic road accident occurred.
Mt Hagen General Hospital physician and emergency department coordinator Dr
John Junior McKup confirmed that many were being treated for injuries.
The passengers are believed to be from upper Kagul.
Tambul-Nebilyer police station commander Chief Sergenat Jacob Kumin told The
National that the accident occurred at about 10pm when the truck was heading to
Tomba from Tambul station.
“The truck driver lost control of the steering wheel, drove off the road,
hitting a rail guard before plunging down a cliff,” he said.
“The cause of the accident is not known yet.
“But witnesses told police that the truck was overloaded with people and
foodstuff heading to the incumbent MP’s election base camp.”
Kumin urged the public and drivers to follow traffic rules and regulations to
avoid road accidents.
“Respect the traffic rules, do not overload cars and trucks. Make sure your
vehicles are roadworthy.”
Cop: Stop bad-mouthing
June 14, 2022The NationalMain Stories
By PETER WARI
ACTING Southern
Highlands Commander Chief Superintendent Daniel Yangen says the behaviour of
supporters during General Election 2022 (GE22) campaigning, polling, counting
and declaration depended on their leaders.
“Candidates will be held responsible for violence because supporters regarded
them as their leaders.
“They must, therefore, display exemplary leadership qualities.
“Qualities that show they respect the law, responsibility and service to the
people and country.
“And that is to maintain a safe and peaceful environment for Papua New Guineans
to cast their ballots freely,” he added.
Yangen said during the GE22 campaign period, it would be unethical if
candidates verbally attacked each other at election rallies as this gave a
negative impression to their supporters.
“People want to exercise their democratic rights once every five years, unlike
in previous general elections.
“All will go well if candidates refrain from using abusive words on their
political rivals.
“They should give good clean speeches outlining their policies at campaign
rallies,” he said.
Yangen said since the close of nominations, four incidents of violence were
reported with one death in Ialibu-Pangia.
He said the first incident was a feud between two brothers over the erection of
a grandstand to host a rally for two candidates that resulted in the stabbing
of one sibling.
“The suspect has been arrested and charged.
“The second is the purchasing of the Hela health authority vehicle by a
candidate and using it for election campaign purposes and the suspect was also
arrested and charged.
“The third incident is a vehicle belonging to a candidate in Kagua-Erave
damaged by a policeman.
“We are investigating.
“The fourth incidence of violence was with Southern Highlands Governor William
Powi’s supporters’ vehicle and then the attempted murder of candidate Philemon
Embel (People’s Congress Party).
“These four incidents must be the first and the last.
“Let us all work together for a peaceful and violence-free GE22,” he added.
Late MP Chris Nangoi to lie in state: Official
THE body of Sumkar MP Chris Yer Nangoi is
expected to arrive in Port Moresby from Lae today for a funeral programme being
organised by Parliament officials.
Deputy Clerk Basil Kambuliagen told The National that the late
Nangoi, a member of the United Labour Party (ULP), would lie in state in the
House he first joined after the 2017 general election.
He passed away while campaigning in Madang last Thursday.
Madang Provincial Health Authority chief executive officer Fidelis Waipma
confirmed that Nangoi died of a heart attack in the hospital at 4.30pm.
Nangoi was the ninth incumbent MP and the third minister to die in office in
the 10th Parliament. He was the third ULP member to die in office.
Nangoi was first elected in 2017 as a member of the Pangu Pati.
He joined the ULP after it was formed in 2019. He had a degree in electrical
and communications engineering from the University of Technology Lae.
Prior to his political career, Nangoi worked with Coca-Cola then Digicel during
which he registered his company Capstone Ltd.
From June 2019 to November 2020, he was Minister of Correctional Service in the
cabinet of Prime Minister James Marape. He is survived by wife Jane and three children,
two sons and a daughter.
Other members who had passed away included Deputy Prime Minister Sam Basil (ULP
– Bulolo), Commerce and Industry Minister William Samb (Papua Niugini Union
Pati – Goilala), Sam Akoitai (National Congress Party – Bougainville), Jonny
Alonk (United Resource Party – Middle Ramu), Roy Biyama (Party Papua and
Niugini Union Pati – Middle Fly) and Richard Mendani (United Resource Party –
Kerema), Thomas Pelika (ULP – Menyamya), Sir Mekere Morauta (People’s
Democratic Movement).
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