Locals call on leaders to restore peace

 VICTIMS of the prolonged Kandep tribal conflict in Enga have called on local leaders to seriously consider restoring peace in the district.

Government workers, church groups, villagers and students told a visiting provincial government team that they did not want any more loss of innocentlives and destruction to personal and public properties.

The team was led by provincial administrator Dr Samson Amean and provincial police commander Supt Philip Welia last Tuesday.

Fr Aaron Saka, the Catholic priest at the Mariant parish, one of the worst affected areas, described the 12-month tribal conflict as one of the worst he had seen in terms of human rights violation and destruction to property.

He said Kandep leaders must do something to end the violence.

“During the height of the crisis when people were shot dead by the warring tribes and their allies, no one was around. 

“The entire Kandep population fled elsewhere,” he said.

“I also wanted to leave but did not do so because I was called to face that challenge as a church worker.”

Nursing sister at Kandep health centre Judy Komen was in tears when she saw the delegation. 

She said it was God’s grace that a peace committee was formed with the inclusion of Amean and Welia to work towards restoring normalcy.