Holding PNG to ransom

THE recent trouble in Mendi caused by a few selfish people will have a huge impact on the people of this country, all eight million or more of us.
Tribal fighting and election-related violence are the norm up in the Highlands and they are costing this country too much.
Violence is a never-ending problem in this part of the country.
The Government has declared state of emergency and in doing so has taken money budgeted for other things to pay for the deployment of security forces and police to maintain law and order up there. But this is not a long-term solution.
Tribal fighting and ethnic groupings have become a regional culture and is part of life up in the Highlands. Our government should take a new approach on this issue.
First of all, it should get all Highlands leaders to work with the law-enforcement agencies to clean up their own backyard using local knowledge and their own resources. If the need arises, then they can ask the national Government to help.
All provinces should get autonomous status so that they can manage their own provinces.
One region cannot hold this country at ransom.

Hanam Bill Sandu
Concerned citizen
Lae