Addicts blamed for burning homes

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
NINETEEN people are homeless after marijuana addicts allegedly burnt down their homes at Avi Block, in the Jiwaka region of Western Highlands.
Fourteen drug addicts, including a female, went to the Avi Block, portion 623, at 10am on Monday and burnt six houses and a trade store belonging to two brothers, Lucas and Kambu Ape, from the Southern Highlands.
The brothers, originally from upper Mendi, who have lived in Avi for more than 20 years, lost all their belongings.
Lucas, married with two wives, has nine children.
Kambu, married with two wives, has four children.
They said yesterday the drug addicts were settlers from Chimbu, Wabag and Mt Hagen. They set the houses on fire when they were not around.
Lucas Ape said his four houses belonging to his two wives and children were razed to the ground.
He said they had been out in their gardens when their houses were set on fire.
He said he lost K7,255 and K5,000 worth of trade store goods.
Kambu Ape said he was away with his family when the incident happened.
He said a pig worth K1,000 was stolen.
They said the total
value of the property destroyed in the blaze was K112,200.
T5hey claimed that drug addicts in the Avi Block caused them many problems over the years.
They said the suspects were known and they had lodged a formal complaint with Mt Hagen police.
Police confirmed receiving the complaint and are investigating the matter.