Engan MP’s quick action prevents tribal clash

QUICK action by Wapenamanda MP Miki Kaeok prevented what could have turned out to be a tribal clash between Minamb Valley and Mukurumanda in Enga on Sept 18.
Wabag police at the roadblock at Mukurumanda could not do much to contain the situation as they were outnumbered by locals.
Provincial police commander Supt Martin Lakari, who was at the scene, said he drove to Kaeok’s house, about a kilometer away, and the MP went and talked to the people and removed the roadblock.
He said the problem started after an accident involving a vehicle belonging to an Amani tribesman from Lokoi Paus village near the Mukurumanda Correctional Service camp bumped into a PMV owned by a man from Yoponda tribe living at Minamb valley.
The PMV crew called the owner informing him about the accident.
Lakari said the owner then loaded his tribesmen in an open-back Landcruiser and on their way to Wapenamanda they came across a 15-seater bus owned by a man from Mukurumanda.
They stopped the bus, ordered all passengers out including the driver and his helper and took the bus back to Minamb valley.
The Amani people retaliated by setting up the roadblock at Mukurumanda and took a 25-seater bus belonging to a Yoponda tribesman which was returning from Wabag.
Lakari said the situation was tense and lives of other passengers were at risk especially at night.
He said the owners hadreceived their respective vehicles after Kaeok assured them that he would met the cost of the damages and pay medical fees for the travelling passengers attacked at the roadblocks.