Buai trade route ‘more dangerous’ after murders

THE Northern-Morobe betel nut trade route is becoming more dangerous with many reported killings, Lae Committal Court Senior Magistrate Pious Tapil says.
“The killings are alcohol-related,” he said.
“People must take precautions when travelling along the route.”
Magistrate Tapil made the remarks after striking out a murder charge against three men for want of a coroner’s inquest to substantiate the charge.
After being in custody for more than five months, Jonathan Jera, 25, from Ali Island, Aitape, West Sepik; Clive Saun Simon, 30, from Tambunum, Angoram, East Sepik; and, Otto Apo, 30, from Zinamba, Huon Gulf, Morobe, were discharged.
Magistrate Tapil said while the police tendered its files in court, he could not find any doctor’s report, adding that it was also alleged that Jonny Tangu’s body had also gone missing and could not be located.
“If we have a doctor’s report, it will ascertain the cause of death,” he said.
Magistrate Tapil said the only reason why they were held in custody in Buimo prison was they were with Tangu before he was pronounced dead.
Police summary of facts in court alleged that the defendants on May 22, were at Kauseda Beach in Northern and were drinking alcohol with Tangu in Kurou village.
The next day, on the same beach, a drunkard armed with an iron rod and bush knife, threatened the people there and later jumped on to the boat with Tangu, heading for Lae.
After a week, Tangu’s relatives found out that Tangu actually returned to Lae from Kauseda Beach but did not arrived yet and reported the matter to police.
Police told the court that when interrogating the defendants, Jera admitted Tangu was wounded and pushed off the boat in Kumusi River while Simon and Apo denied seeing Tangu.