Four-day gunfight in Mendi

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Four-day gunfight in Mendi

PORT MORESBY: More than 200 soldiers have moved into Southern Highlands’ Mendi where supporters of General Election 2022 candidates in the provincial seat were locked in a four-day gunfight.

Millions od Kina worth of properties were destroyed last week.

Major Joshua Dorpar told The National that the soldiers were deployed to help restore peace and normalcy.

The news break was reported by The National:


Soldiers in SHP to restore peace

August 25, 2022The NationalMain Stories

By REBECCA KUKU
MORE than 200 soldiers have moved into Southern Highlands’ Mendi where supporters of candidates in the provincial seat were locked in a four-day gunfight.
Millions of Kina worth of properties were destroyed last week.
Major Joshua Dorpar told The National that the soldiers were deployed to help restore peace and normalcy.
“Both sides have ceased fire and all businesses, public offices and schools were open again,” he said.
“The fight started at about 3.30am on Thursday with supporters of one of the candidates blocking off two sides of the road leading to the police station where the two containers of General Election 2022 ballot papers are stored.
“A platoon from the Alpha Company was on the ground waiting for new orders as the election returning officer had resigned and we were waiting for the Electoral Commissioner’s instruction when the fight broke out.
“Our teams tried to respond but encountered the two road blocks.
“There were vehicles set on fire that blocked the entrances to the police station.
“Our men were trying to clear the road block when supporters went in, took out the papers that had yet to be counted and burnt them.”
Dorpar said that additional manpower from Charlie Company was also sent to Mendi. “There have been no gunshots, starting this week,” he said.
“We have been doing foot patrols across the town, speaking to businessmen and government officers to assure them that that we are here to provide security and restore normalcy.
“Peace talks are being held and Mendi is slowly returning to normalcy.”
Meanwhile, the PNG Defence Force will also be sending in a medical team to provide support and assist medical officers at the Mendi General Hospital.
“Most of the hospital staff fled when fighting started, so we will help those who are still around until all return back to work,” Dorpar said.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea (Employment stagnant since 2014) PORT MORESBY: Employment in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained stagnant since 2014 with millions of unemployed looking for jobs. The formal job market currently can only accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker says. “As more young people enter the job market this year after graduating from tertiary institutions and schools, the chances of securing formal employment is slim. “Employment had remained stagnant despite the increase in potential workers coming out of educations institutions,” he added. Read on for more details as published by The National : Hard to get jobs January 27, 2022 The National Main Stories By DALE LUMA MILLIONS of eligible workers around the country are looking for jobs in the formal sector, which currently can ...
Read more

Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30

Image
News that matters in Papua New Guinea Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30 PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace. In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards. Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. PNG Cyber Monitor had on a May 25, 2019, posting ( https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2019/05/real-life-rifles-bows-and-arrows-bloody.html Real life rifles, bows and arrows bloody fights in PNG ) highlighted the bloody battle waged by tribal warriors armed with rifles, bows and arrows and knives. PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The Nationa...
Read more

Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Sorcery tortures and violence are still being practised in Papua New Guinea in this 21st Century digital era. Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas PORT MORESBY: It was international shame for Papua New Guinea (PNG) this Christmas when sorcery reared its ugly head. Six women were stripped, bound to poles and burnt with hot knives as they screamed in pain, watched by an unsympathetic crowd. In a video that has gone viral in the internet, the women were accused of practising sorcery in Southern’s Enga. Police Comm David Manning described the sorcery torture as vile, inhumane, uncivilised, void of any human decency. “Papua New Guinea cannot progress without letting go of these horrific traditional beliefs. We have launched an urgent probe into the incident in Aiya’s Pawayamo village in Kagua-Erave.” The news break was published by The National : Horror torture of women Decem...
Read more