Four charged with wilful murder

 FOUR people were arrested and charged over the alleged murder of three Eastern Highlanders and an Enga woman in Mt Hagen recently.

The four from the Moge tribe living on the outskirts of the city on the other side of Kum River have been charged with wilful murder.

Western Highlands police commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari said investigation were continuing and more suspects were expected to be arrested soon.

Lakari said the owner of a vehicle used by the Moge tribesmen in the alleged murder of a Grade 12 student from Hagen Secondary and his friend from Eastern Highlands at Warakum two weeks ago in an ethnic clash, had allegedly gone into hiding.

He said when fellow students heard about the murder, they went on a rampage at the main market, resulting in one Engan woman being injured. She died five days later at the Hagen hospital.

Another Eastern Highlander was killed during the second State of Origin rugby league game two weeks ago by the Moge tribesmen.

“Police are still investigating,” Lakari said. 

He said Moge tribesmen paid K39,000 and 15 pigs as “bel kol” compensation to Eastern Highlanders for the death of three men but it would not stop police from arresting other suspects.