Four killed in shooting, car accident induced by tribal fight

By ELIAS LARI
FOUR people, including an 11-year-old boy, were killed in a shooting and car accident induced by tribal feud violence in Wabag town on Tuesday.
A driver ploughed his car into a group of bystanders at Pawas Market after he was ambushed and shot at the Sakales-Premier Hill road junction.
Provincial police commander Chief Supt Joseph Tondop said the driver managed to drive away from the illegal roadblock and ambush but collapsed with the car running into the by-standers at the market next to the Wabag Hospital.
“The driver died on the spot (inside the car) while the boy and two others, a woman and a young man, were warded in the hospital. They, however, succumbed to their injuries,” he added.
Tondop has advised those responsible for the ambush and shooting to surrender within 24 hours or face the full brunt of the law, starting with a police manhunt.
“We believe the group responsible for the attack are from the Aipiap tribe and the driver is from the Porelin tribe. Both tribes are from Enga,” he said.
Describing the attack as inhumane, Tondop said: “These people are mentally ill and have no place to live in a society that is made up of genuine and respected law-abiding people. They are sick and have no respect and regard for the law.
“We know the identities of the attackers and I urge them to surrender through their community leaders.”
He warned community leaders who knowingly abet and harbour the suspects that they would be picked up for questioning.
Tondop appealed to stakeholders, community leaders of neighboring tribesmen, business houses and town development authorities to work with police to stabilise the situation in the district.