End tribal fights, PM warns Hela

By GEORGINA KOREI in Tari, Hela
PRIME Minister James Marape has warned the people of Hela to end tribal fights before Parliament passes new laws carrying tougher penalties including life imprisonment.
“The gun laws will have penalties of life imprisonment imposed by the courts for those involved in tribal fights using guns,” he said.
“More than 300 people involved in tribal fights using guns are facing prosecution of life imprisonment and this should be a lesson to you all.”
He thanked Hela police commander Joseph Tondop for ensuring that law and order was maintained despite the ongoing tribal fights.
“Hela people are peaceful and they should stop the tribal fights among themselves,” he said.
“If you have an issue with other tribes over land or women, please take it to the court and let the law deal with it.”
Marape made the comment yesterday during the opening of the Tari airport in Hela.
He also called on Hela leaders to work together to end lawlessness so that development could take place in the province.
“Major developments are taking place in Hela so we must end tribal fights, change our ways of thinking and start going to church if we want to see more economic and infrastructure development in the province,” Marape said.