Clash leaves Biwats homeless

By ELLEN TIAMU
A FIGHT on Saturday between two groups from East Sepik province at the Bumbu settlement in Lae has left one group homeless.
The clash between the Biwat and Gergo Ropi people was the result of a fight on Good Friday when Biwats attacked and injured two women from Gergo Ropi following a dispute.
The women were hospitalised but have since been discharged.
Over the weekend, the Gergo Ropis destroyed 22 houses belonging to Biwat people, for­cing them to move to the homes of relatives and friends in other areas around Lae.
Bumbu resident, Charles Kambakai said the settlers decided to take this action after police failed to attend to their grievances.
More than 800 people from both groups live at the settlement, with Gergo Ropis located along the beachfront
at the back of PNG Fo­rest Products, at Voco Point.
PNG Forest Products owns the land and has been unsuccessfully trying to get them to move so they can develop the area. 
Kambakai, from East Sepik, said there were always problems and it was hard to try to live a relaxed life with his fa­mily.