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By ANDREW ALPHONSE
ENGA authorities have failed to address one of the bloodiest and
prolonged tribal fights in Enga.
As a result, people were dying while properties worth millions of kina
belonging to Government, missions and private citizens going up in
flames.
These were the allegations in a letter sent to the provincial police
commander by Akom village leader John Luther last Sept 20.
His letter was prompted by the tribal clash between Sanekin and Wapukin
tribes that live between Wapenamanda and Wabag.
Copies of the letter were sent to Governor Peter Ipatas, Miki Kaeok (Wapenamanda
MP), Samuel Tei Abal (Wabag MP) and police commissioner Gary Baki.
Mr Luther said the latest incident flared up last May 17 when a man was
murdered during an election campaign rally at Akom.
He said the Ambulyin tribe joined forces with the Sanekins and wiped out
the Wapukins at Akom.
Mr Luther said the fight flared up despite the Wapukins paying
compensation of K30,000 and 200 pigs to claim the land at Akom back in
February 2004.
He said after the compensation, the Wapukins tried to resettle at Akom
but the Ambulyins continued to intimidate and threatened them by
occupying half of the land and even constructed houses and cultivated
gardens within the Wapukin territory.
He said last Dec 25, the Ambulyins raided Akom and allegedly murdered
three Wapukins and destroyed village properties.
Mr Luther said a pastor, Yarekin Waso, was also assaulted and church
offerings of K3,600 were stolen by the tribesmen.
Mr Luther said last Feb 21, the Ambulyins allegedly sprayed bullets from
two M16 rifles at the unarmed Mangalya tribesmen from Pina village and
killed five men and wounded 15 others.
He said the killing happened when the Mangalya men were invited to
negotiate peace for the conflict between the two tribes.
Mr Luther said again the matter was reported to police and provincial
authorities but no arrests had been made.
He said these were few examples of incidents reported to the police but
not acted upon.
 
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