Madang festival under threat

THE Madang festival is under threat with the increasing law and order problems in the province, the development issue and Crisis forum in Madang was told last Friday.
The Sept 16-19 festival will feature different    events including cultural activities that will run day and night.
The forum was concerned that the lawlessness in the province was threatening the festival and called on the authorities to guarantee the safety of the people before the show could go ahead.
A longtime resident and mother said the past shows were more family-oriented as they could go out in the night to watch but with the increase in crime, she is thinking twice about taking her children out.
Provincial police commander Supt Anthony Wagambie Jr told the forum that although he lacks manpower, fuel and logistics like vehicles he has he’s own operational plan.
He said although it was not safe, he could ask foreign troops to come and assist the Madang police but that would depend on the availability of funds to look after the policemen from outside.
Meanwhile, there were three more murders around town, increasing concern amongst most of the residents.
It was reported that a man was murdered near the Transgogol River while another was killed and left on the road.
According to reports from the Modilon General Hospital, a man was beheaded at Biliau Island along the North coast road,  and his body was brought to the morgue early on Saturday morning while his head was brought in later during the day.
The cause of the incident is unknown and attempts to get comments from the police were unsuccessful.
The relatives of another victim who was stabbed to death two weeks ago have called on the government to take immediate action to evict the Bilaiu Maus road settlers.
The relatives from Wom Grass Country of the Kambaramba tribe in East Sepik province, who reside  at the Wagol Sawdust, said the actions of the settlers mostly from East Sepik have portrayed a very bad image of other settlements and wanted them removed immediately.
They claimed that the settlers do not contribute  to the development of the province and must leave.