Clans told to make peace

PRIME Minister James Marape wants the two warring tribes in Enga’s Wabag to lay down their arms and let law and order prevail.
“Lay down your arms. Enough is enough,” he said when presenting three pigs each to the warring tribes on Tuesday.
Commander Supt Ephenes Nili told The National that the two clans were still fighting but the token from Marape was welcomed by both clans.
“Police continue to maintain its presence in the area near Wabag town and that they had carried out awareness to the clans to stop fighting.
“So far, 10 men are dead, two injured and thousands of kina worth of properties destroyed in clashes,” he said.
Supt Nili said the body of a man from Mulitaka village was found on the Enga highway near Langi village two months ago where the two clans were from.
“We asked the Timali and Sikinwan clans from the village what they know about the man’s death.
“Both (clan members) told police that they were not aware of the killing, and did now know who the man was,” Supt Nili said.
He said the village court ordered members of the two clans to pay K15,000 and 30 pigs as compensation to the man’s family.
A mediation and compensation discussion was arranged for the two clans but it had to be called off because only the Sikinwan clan turned up.
Supt Nili said the Wabag Secondary School was located in the area and security personnel, comprising policemen and soldiers, were protecting government assets there.
“But two weeks ago, a fight broke out between the two clans.
“This time, 10 people from Sikinwan were killed and two from Timali were injured,” he said, adding that police were outnumbered.