Fight in city ends in tragedy

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
AN avid rugby player who was injured trying to stop a fight between men from two villages in the National Capital District early Sunday died yesterday.
Motu Koitabu chairman Dadi Toka Jr described Mavara Sere Junior as a “bright young man, just 20 years of age, a great rugby league player who played in the Hanuabada Mangi League”.
Mavara completed Grade 12 at the Tokarara Secondary School last year and was accepted to pursue a course at the University of PNG this year.
“He had a bright future ahead of him,” Toka Jnr said.
He was the captain for the Hetoa Steelers in the rugby league competition.
“My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, especially his parents Dou and Sibona,” he said.
“The NCD police now have the suspects in custody and investigations are continuing.”
He appealed for calm among the Hanuabada and Baruni villagers.
The fight between men from the two villages occurred at around 1am on Sunday along the Boe Vagi Road in Hanuabada.
Police are yet to confirm what started it.
Two suspects were arrested yesterday by police in the presence of Toka Jr and Zone Two police commander Fred Tundu on Monday morning.
Tundu and his officers are continuing their investigations into the fight on Sunday. The road to the Badihagwa High School was closed yesterday.
Police had to escort students from the school to Baruni village after news of Mavara’s death in hospital broke out.
Motu Koitabu assembly manager Pastor Mike Field lamented the death of the young man.
“A family absolutely shattered by grief, and a community shaken and again asking how such a tragedy could happen in our midst,” he said.
He urged the villagers to allow the police to do their job.
“Do not let sorrow, grief, sadness and anger bring more harm,” he said.
“Right now, let us all support the Mavara family as they are forced to journey through the grief of the loss of their son.”