By PETER MIVA
THE busy 11 Mile section of the Highlands Highway came to a standstill as a fight between two Sepik groups stopped traffic for almost half an hour on New Year’s Day.
The fight, which started at about 4pm near the Guard Dog Security barracks, hampered trailers, PMVs and other motorists from travelling to and from Lae along that section of the highway.
About 20 motorists and other curious onlookers stopped to watch the two groups exchange obscenities, stones, empty bottles and sticks while others decided to turn back.
At least two women from one of the groups were seen hurling stones at a nearby canteen where the other group took refuge from the attack.
More than 50 people were involved in the brawl.
It started after a man from Kubalia, East Sepik, was badly beaten up in a drunken brawl outside the canteen.
Angry relatives descended on his alleged assailants, believed to be from Wosera.
Police arrived to quell the fight but the situation remained tense yesterday as landowners and councillors from 11 Mile negotiated peace.
Trucks and other vehicles that were held up were then waved through by policemen after the fighting ceased.
Earlier that morning, police rounded up several rowdy youths from the area to clear burnt tyres and drums that had been left on the same section of the highway after welcoming in the New Year.