Bring deaths probe to a speedy end

 FYODOR Mikhaylovich Do­s­toyevsky, Russian novelist, journalist, and short story writer whose psychological penetration into the human soul had a profound influence on the 20th century, said at some point “the soul is healed by being with children”.

It is a randomly picked quote but which must hold particularly true for first time mum Mary Daure whose story we published yesterday. 

One month after her husband Nicholas Goru Raua and fellow villager Toka Gaudi were gunned down in Hanuabada, Mary Daure gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

But Nicholas Junior will never have the joy of seeing his father who was killed during a raid by police on January 23 in the village allegedly over the sale of betel nut.

“He promised me he would be there with me when I deliver the baby,” Daure said with tears running down her face. 

“It’s been exactly one month since I lost his father but holding the baby in my arms has healed my broken heart.” 

That is a profound statement and is the happy truth about the effect children have not only on mothers like Daure but most other people as well. 

It is a statement of newfound strength and hope in the absence of another dearly loved person in her life.   

Nicholas Junior will be a special child to her mother as long as she is alive. 

One other positive that emerged from the Hanuabada killings was the strength and courage of the parents of the two deceased villagers.

Days after the shootings at Hanuabada village, Rarua’s parents, Davai and Mary, publicly forgave the killers of their son. So did the Toka Gaudi’s father, Gaudi. 

Mary Rarua reportedly said, “I forgive that person who took my son’s life and I hope that justice prevails.” Her husband, an accountant-turned evangelist said, “This is a message to Papua New Guineans.  When we forgive other people the power of forgiveness transforms nations.”

It is now a month since the killings in the Motuan village and the resolve by parents and the deceased to forgive has undoubtedly impacted the entire village community in many respects.  

Nicholas’ father, a preacher of the gospel, pointed out then that “there was no need for us to resort to violence because violence was eliminated when the first missionaries arrived with the gospel of love and forgiveness”. 

Gaudi Toka, on his part appealed to other Papua New Guineans to forgive in similar situations.  

Having forgiven the killers, the parents and their community naturally would have been looking up to the authorities to ensure that the truth is uncovered and justice served.

That is in the interest of not only the village but the Royal PNG Constabulary and the National Capital District Commission’s own reserve police unit as well and we only hope that the ongoing investigations are brought to a speedy and conclusive end.

The concerned families and the entire village community would have been different if it were not for the family’s public declaration to forgive those responsible for the death of their two young men. Emotions would have been still running high and people would have resorted to violence or plotting to seek justice through other means.

It was a bold and courageous move in the face of an incident wherein two innocent young men were gunned down unnecessarily.  For other Papua New Guinea communities and ethnic groups this was an excellent demonstration of the Christian faith and respect for the agencies of law enforcement and justice to do their job.

It goes to show that we, as a people, can and must forgive. The positive impact of forgiveness over revenge and violence cannot be overstated.  

The deaths of Nicholas Goru Rarua and Toka Gaudi in their village last month have triggered a demonstration by villagers who blocked off access to their village and beyond. The blockade disrupted electricity supply in Port Moresby, affecting the city at large.

That was how badly the shootings of the two Hanuabada villagers has affected Port Moresby. However, what came out of the positive action taken by the immediate families should not be forgotten.  

As Nicholas Goru Rarua Junior grows up a tale of forgiveness and healing of a broken heart will be woven around him.