Hela leaders appeal for peace

THE Hela community leaders from Southern Highlands province have appealed for calm as police continue their investigations into a shooting incident involving senior officers of a government agency.
Hela Gimbu Association chairman Damien Arabagali appealed to his people to remain calm and not to take the law into their own hands.
The incident, which occured last week, involved a senior executive of a Government agency, believed to be from Western Highlands, following one of his senior officers, believed to be from Tari, in a car chase that ended at Gordon market.
The senior executive shot and wounded his senior officer and a stray bullet also wounded a betelnut vendor. The victims were admitted to the Port Moresby General Hospital.
“Not all Western Highlanders are involved and I appeal to the Hela people to respect the law and let police do their job.”
However, Mr Arabagali said the seriousness of the issue warranted the police to fast track its investigations.
“Any delay in justice will create a potential to reignite trouble between the two ethnic groups.”
Mr Arabagali also urged the new Commerce and Industry Minister to intervene and resolve the issue.
He said the Government should shoulder some of the blame as there were too many acting appointments which were causing instability and suspicion among Government departments.
“This is a clear example of public servants being frustrated. It could have resulted in a full scale tribal violence,” he said.

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