Family loses home, crops, properties in revenge attack by settlers

A FAMILY lost their home, vehicle, farm equipment, livestock and garden crops in an alleged act of revenge by Goilala settlers at Laloki outside Port Moresby, according to police.
Police said a group of men from Goilala went into a family home in the night to steal mustard when the owner came out and confronted one of them and slashed him with a bush knife.
“The man dived into the Laloki River, disturbing the neighbouring communities who came out and chopped his right leg and arm. Others escaped into nearby bushes,” police said.
Investigation officer Constable Standley Billy said the victim was rushed to hospital. The man who escaped into the river died.
Police said the matter was resolved by community leaders but it did not go well with the dead man’s relatives.
A few days later the relatives and opportunists around the settlement burned down the six-bedroom family home, stole properties around the yard and farm equipment, destroyed garden crops and a truck was damaged and taken as well.
Billy said police were investigating.
Meanwhile, Enga police commander superintendent Joseph Tondop said he was not aware of three different tribal fighting in the Porgera-Paiela area.
Tondop said was responding to a report of fights that claimed more than thirty lives, damaged properties and shutting down government services.
Former Porgera-Paiela LLG president Yamane Aiyala and Waimalama ward councillor Nick Thomas told The National from Porgera that two of the fights were continuing from last year while one started two weeks ago.
Pperations commander Robert Bari said the two leaders said to present a report of the fight, the number of people died and properties loss on Monday.