Madang villagers go after cultists

By PISAI GUMAR
VILLAGERS in Biamb village have volunteered to assist Madang police flush out the two cult leaders who remain in hiding in the area.
This followed the arrest of 29 of their cult members last week.
The two have been identified by the villagers as Joe Wadagen Nimagap from Sereken village and Clement Jesse Basilik from Biam.
The locals agreed to help police after being told that the activities of the cult movement were against the law.
Madang police task force commander Snr Sgt Daniel Kapen went to Biamb last Thursday to talk to the villagers.
Kapen asked the villagers to help police eradicate the illegal movement.
“I also appeal to the followers in other villagers to surrender or the law will deal with them,” Kapen said.
The locals reported that villages such as Mangigum, Ambunk, Visiaput and Sereken Two had followers of the movement too.
The six hausman are yet to be identified and dismantled as they are situated in the jungles.
“These established hausman that train men and children to possess spirits of identifying sorcerers were not usual village hausman recognised traditionally and needs to be wiped off,” the villager said.
Eight women were among 25 who graduated last week after undergoing training by the cult leaders.
Officer in-charge of the investigation unit Chief Sgt Steven Yalamu has set up a team to deal with the case.