Law and order in Hela out of control

By Malum nalu
Hela Governor Philip Undialu admitted that the law and order problem in his province, and particularly in Tari, is out of control.
He said that on Friday when giving an update on the situation in Hela which has spiralled out of control since the Feb 26 earthquake, with a series of killings in tribal fighting.
“The law and order issue in Tari is a cause for concern for all of us,” Undialu told The National.
“Hela was well prepared for the relief exercise and the restoration exercise (after the earthquake), but the law and order situation brought chaos and confusion.
“My apologies to the United Nations, Red Cross and the International Organistion for Migration who were there with us at the time, and a couple of other foreign missions and donor agencies who were trying to help us.
“Unfortunately, law and order has dispersed them, but we will resume very soon to kick-start relief supplies and so forth.”
Undialu said Hela now had a very capable new police commander in Martin Lakari.
“Ceasefire agreements have been signed by warring factions,” he said.
“We are now negotiating settlement agreements.
“Police are also working on suspects and trying to arrest murderers, warlords and so forth.
“Over the last two days, security forces and leaders on the ground have been working tirelessly on the issue, and I think we are on target.
“If everything goes well, in two weeks’ time we should resume the relief effort to help our people.”