Fights in Bena to end tomorrow

By ZACHERY PER
ALL tribal fights and rivalries in Bena, Eastern Highlands province will cease by tomorrow.
This is the New Year present for the people of Bena brought about by a Bena leaders forum (BLF) last week.
The forum was held at Ketarabo Primary School outside Goroka town last Wednesday headed by Environment and Conservation Minister and Unggai-Bena MP Benny Allan.
Accordingly, the leaders unanimously resolved to end all tribal factions and rivalries beginning tomorrow.
Mr Allan told The National in Goroka yesterday the main aim of the forum was to gauge collective views of community leaders in Bena to find a solution to end tribal conflicts.
The Bena area in the Unggai-Bena district is commonly feared for tribal fights and other conflicts with other law and order problems.
Mr Allan said the leaders did not want the conflicts to continue anymore.
He urged leaders at all levels in the area to assist in addressing the law and order problems especially tribal fights in Bena.
Mr Allan outlined the recommendations of the forum as:
* Introduction of community policing to assist the village courts in meting out justice;
* Twenty strong young men will undergo training with the police next February to become community police officers;
* The creation of peace and good order committee to immediately attend to problems that may arise;
* Improve village courts system not only for Bena but the entire Unggai-Bena area;
* Promote and encourage all youth to participate in coffee and other trees planting projects; and
* Immediately declare Bena “fighting zone” should there be an eruption of a tribal fight again.
Mr Allan said that similar forums would be held regularly to keep the people updated and aware of law and order problems.