Change fighting mentality: Tondop

TRIBAL fighting in Enga and Hela has become the major law and order issue which is holding back both provinces from progressing, says Enga police commander Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop.
He said this while trying to address recent tribal fighting in Kandep between Kapus and Komai tribes who are custodians of the Kandep High School and government station.
Tondop led a joint security force comprising soldiers and police last week into the area.
Addressing the people on the issue, Tondop said: “We must change our attitude and say no to tribal fighting to build a safe community together.
“If you continue to fight, Kandep women and children will miss out on basic services, especially health and education.
“I am here to stop this fight because I am concerned about the future of the children of Kandep who we should teach the right values to become better citizens and do away with tribal fighting.
“Tribal fighting is an old mentality fueled by revenge where nobody wins but you fight to lose.”
Tondop said tribal fighting with high-powered weapons was like chronic cancer – capable of destroying future societies in Enga.
He warned tribes that he would enforce the law strictly if they breached conditions set out in the preventive order issued.
He said a fight erupted last Sunday in relation to a failed village court case of a marriage in which a woman was reportedly having two marriages.
Tondop said three people died during the clash. He appealed to community leaders, village court magistrates and ward councillors to work closely with rural police to assist in their investigations.