7 dead in Hela, GE22-related death toll stands at 38
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
7 dead in Hela,
GE22-related death toll stands at 38
PORT MORESBY: Papua New Guinea (PNG) General Election
2022 (GE22)-related violence and deaths continue to rise with seven people
killed in a clash between supporters of rival candidate in Hela last week.
A polling centre was
burnt down together with several houses in Margarima.
And in Enga, Commander
Superintendent George Kakas said a district administrator was shot dead,
policemen were attacked and new vehicles were burnt in the past two days.
PNG’s GE22-related death
toll as reported by the media is now 38 (See listing on Page 3 for details).
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below the news break and a few GE22 news updates as reported by The National:
7 dead in Hela
July 11, 2022The NationalMain Stories
PAPUA New Guinea
General Election 2022 (GE22)-related violence and deaths continue to rise with
seven people killed in a clash between supporters of rival candidates in Hela
last week.
A polling centre was burnt down together with several houses in Margarima.
And in Enga, commander Superintendent George Kakas said a district
administrator was shot dead, policemen were attacked and new vehicles were
burnt in the past two days.
PNG’s GE22-related death toll as reported by the media is now 38 (See listing.).
Hela commander Chief Inspector Robin Bore said the fight started last Monday
between Komo-Margarima MP Manasseh Makiba’s (Pangu Pati) supporters and
Independent Dr Benson Wakinda’s supporters at the Yambraka polling centre.
Yambraka polling centre in Margarima was burnt down last Monday. – Nationalpics by Rebecca Kuku
“Two people were killed on Monday, and one
died on Tuesday. So far, three people are confirmed dead. Apart from that, I am
yet to receive an update,” he added.
But according to locals, four more people have been killed.
Locals from Makiba village told The National in Margarima on
Saturday that two more people were killed on Wednesday and another two on
Friday.
“So far seven of our people have been killed, our homes have been burnt down
and our women and children are scattered everywhere. We do not know where they
are,” one of them said.
“But we will defend our home and our seat.”
Wakinda’s supporters said they were only defending themselves and protecting
their family and homes.
“They shot and wounded one of our sons on Monday for no good reason. That was
why we retaliated.”
Both sides of the political divide have called for the ballot boxes from
Yambraka to be disputed and set aside before peace could be reached.
But Provincial Elections Manager John Tipa said he was waiting for a full
report from his Returning Officer from Margarima before he could consider
disputing the boxes from Yambraka. Counting for Margarima is scheduled to start
today (Monday).
The seat, one of five in Hela, is being contested by 19 people. Polling in
Hela’s one-day polling was completed last Monday at 275 polling centres.
Hela has 14 local level governments.
Ballot boxes hijacked,
official shot dead: Police
July 11, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
Provincial police commander acting Supt George Kakas said 24 boxes for Laiagam
were hijacked by people known to police at the district office on Friday.
“A policeman’s head was (hit) with an iron or something. The two escaped on
foot to safety. A firearm was taken and the new vehicle burnt,” Kakas said.
The two made it safely to Wabag on Saturday. Kakas said the vehicle was
recently bought for around K150,000 for members of the highway patrol unit to
use.
“At Kompiam, a police mobile force team was trapped. They protected the boxes.
This morning (yesterday), I sent two teams to help them get out.
“Last night (Saturday), a district administrator was shot and killed. The
deputy district administrator was shot along with a female and male passenger.
“The female died with the deputy administrator Willie Muu. The motive is not
ascertained but strong leads suggest political reasons behind the shooting. A
report has been lodged and police are investigating.”
Kakas blamed the incidents on certain individuals who had been going around
urging supporters to cause trouble. He said everyone was using guns and very
soon members of the security forces would be protecting themselves first rather
than the ballot boxes under their care.
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