Clash over compensation

TWO ethnic groups at 14-Mile outside Lae recently came to a confrontation after one group failed to pay compensation for a death some time ago, Morobe police commander Supt Alex N’Drasal said.
“Community at 14-Mile contributed in cash and kind to Kabwum people living there to pay the compensation of a Sepik man killed earlier on,” he said.
The killing came after the Kabwum community living there became sick of two men from Sepik raping and molesting their females since 2018.
Supt N’Drasal said Sepiks never received the compensation because Kabwum people who lived outside 14-Mile took away the compensation money and gifts.
“This led to a confrontation between the two ethnic groups which saw 22 houses belonging to Kabwum people burnt down and a couple of people from both sides injured,” he said.
During the confrontation, there were gunshots from both sides.
Police on receiving a report, intervened immediately and negotiated for peace between the groups.
“The two groups retreated from the confrontation scene in the middle of the road at 14-Mile, they were dispersed and were quietened but the situation remained tense,” Supt N’Drasal said.
He said, on Sunday, factions from both sides started fighting again and he went there with a police unit.
Supt N’Drasal said since fighting started, Kabwum people went back to the mountains to live.