4, not 13, killed at Simbai, say police

POLICE have confirmed that four people including two women were killed in an ambush at the border of Middle Ramu, Madang and Jimi last week.
The number killed was not 13 as reported earlier, said provincial police commander Anthony Wagambie Jr.
He said some of those who fled from the Simbai area had been seen in Madang town including their gang leader James Kaiwe.
Wagambie and task force commander Daniel Kapen said the earlier report of 13 people being murdered in an ambush was misleading.
“Four people are confirmed dead – including two women,” Wagambie said.
Wagambie said police officers confirmed that the four were part of a 12-member gang led by Kaiwe who was accompanied by his wife, who was among the dead.
“She had a hand grenade in her possession which was confiscated and in Simbai police custody,”Wagambie said.
All 12 people were from Kol village in upper Jimi, Jiwaka region of Western Highlands.
They were among 30 people from the Highlands region who had come to the area for the celebration.
He said the arrival of the visiting Jiwakans had aroused suspicion among locals.
He said the villagers claimed there was a demand to pay K20,000 to the gang.
“Locals alerted the two policemen who had been in the area at the time providing security,” he said.
Wagambie said the Simbai people’s suspicion was confirmed after a search conducted on three members of the gang. A pistol and six bullets were found on them.
He said while the three were rounded up, the other nine fled.
Nearby villages were then alerted and the villagers organised a search for the nine.
He said most were shot with arrows when they tried to escape.
Wagambie said the area was known for alluvial mining activities and poor service delivery into the area meant criminals quietly ventured into it.
 “For eleven years the Simbai had suffered of being robbed of their money and belongings. Some were even terrorised,” he said. 
Wagambie has urged Kaiwe to surrender to police and to explain why they had crossed into Simbai.
“Simbai people are peace-loving people,” he added.