Find different ways to resolve disputes: Kramer

POLICE Minister Bryan Kramer says it is important to find a different way of resolving disputes to stop tribal fights.
He returned from visiting the “fighting zone” in the Tari-Pori district of Hela at the weekend with acting assistant police commissioner Operation David Manning to see first-hand the scene of the killings last week.
He said on his Facebook page the massacre of 23 women (two of whom were pregnant) and nine children was “the worst payback killing in our country’s history”.
“While a number of plans are being put into action to ensure peace prevails and to prevent such a devastating act of violence in our communities, it is important for the long term that we find a different way of resolving conflicts that rejects revenge but encourages resolution through dialogue,” Kramer said.
“I intend to return to the province in a week’s time to get an up date.”
He went to Hela on the instruction of Tari-Pori MP and Prime Minister James Marape “to pay respect to those killed and to prepare a brief to the prime minister on circumstances behind the incident”.
“Tribal fights are not new in Papua New Guinea and in recent years they have become more prevalent in the highlands.
However, the rules of engagement have always been that the elderly, women and children have been off-limits,” Kramer said. “So the killing of innocent women and children in tribal conflicts are unheard of.
“Last week’s merciless killings changed everything.” Kramer said there were three separate killings in the Tagali local level government areas last week, which were related to a tribal conflict that was on-going for close to 20 years. He said the violence stopped after the visit last weekend.
Kramer was accompanied by Hela Governor Philip Undialu.