Houses set on fire in revenge attack after man killed in brawl

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
East Sepik police commander Superintendent Robert Gesa says several houses were burnt down in Maprik in retaliation for a man killed during a drunken brawl.
Gesa said that he was unable to provide details at this stage.
However, Maprik MP John Simon confirmed that 41 houses at Yamil village were razed last week.
“I have donated a total of K200,000 in cash and kind to Yamil villagers to rebuild their houses and lives,” Simon said.
“I have also provided tents for their temporary home so they can rebuild their houses. I also gave them 24 roofing sheets for new houses.” Simon said neighbouring Malpa villagers had allegedly burnt down the houses in retaliation for the death of one of their villagers.
“The affected villagers don’t want to cooperate with police because they claimed that the police will not arrest the suspects.
“I’m calling on Police Commissioner Gari Baki to appoint a new Maprik Police Station commander.
“There is no commander, resulting in a breakdown in law and order. There is no control over the police officers. I have bought vehicles for police but they usually misuse the vehicles.”
Simon said spin-off activities from the vanilla boom in Maprik district were luring many people from Nuku and Lumi districts in West Sepik.
“People also from Yangoru, Wosera-Gawi and Ambunti-Dreikikier come to Maprik to do business. And it is also attracting criminals to prey on people doing business in Maprik resulting in armed robberies and killings.”