18 years on the run over

By ELIAS LARI
A CRIMINAL on the run for the last 18 years finally surrendered to police on New Year’s Eve in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, and promised to be a good citizen.
Rumba Kingal, 36, from the Yamka Kentimb clan made the decision to change his life at his Pultimb village, Keluwa 2.
Western Highlands police commander Chief Insp Jacob Kamiak and his officers attended the surrender programme and assured Kingal that he was now an ordinary citizen and free to move around.
Yamka tribe leaders Dokta Maip, Wan Kewa, former councilor Anis Tiki and Pang Pawa thanked Kingal for his decision.
Kingal, who is now married with two children, was involved in criminal activities in 2002 after dropping out of grade six at Ogelpeng Primary School.
Kingal was involved in major armed robberies, holdups and car thefts.
According to police, he was one of the wanted criminals in the province.
Kingal said after 18 of years of living the life he decided to change his ways.
Kingal was never arrested by police and did not serve time in jail.
Kingal said that 14 of his gang members had been killed by police over the years and he felt it was time to change.
He made a promise to Kamiak and the police that he would attend church and become a good citizen.
Kingal said he would help police identify criminal activities and provide information that would lead to arrests. “I’m sorry for what I did and how it had affected lives and properties,” he said.
“After coming to realise my past mistakes I’m asking God, the government and the people to forgive me and accept me as a good citizen.
“The decision I made was tough but I feel that it was time to change.”
Kingal said he would work hard to earn a living.