Man killed at funeral

By JAMES GUMUNO
A MAN was killed in front of his wife, children, and people attending a funeral in Enga last Sunday, in what police believe was for something he did 10 years ago.
Provincial police commander acting Supt Epenes Nili said the man, who had arrived with his wife and children to attend the funeral at Laigaiyok village in Wabag district, was attacked by the suspect who later told police that the man had killed his father and brother in a tribal fight 10 years ago.
Nili said the tribal fight between the Lyain and Puman tribes ended when they were given preventive orders to stop it.
Members of both tribes have since respected the orders.
He identified the suspect as Ale Gas, 32, from the Lyain tribe of Laigaiyok village in Wabag Central, who has been charged with wilful murder.
Nili said Gas alleged that the man had killed his father and brother during the tribal fight 10 years ago, so he had to kill him.
He said Gas fled after the incident but was brought to the police station by two ward councillors from the Lyain and Puman tribes and their people on Monday afternoon.
Nili said that the orders issued to the two tribes 10 years ago to stop the tribal fight was still current and anyone breaching it would be arrested and charged.
“I went to Laigaiyok and appealed to the tribesmen of the suspect and deceased to allow law to take its course,” he said.
Nili said quick intervention by the police and soldiers defused tension between members of the two tribes.
“I want to appeal to the people to respect the preventive orders issued to them and refrain from bringing old trouble back,” he said.