Man killed, homes razed in fight

 A MAN was killed and 15 houses burnt as tribal fighting erupted again in Minj, Jiwaka, on Monday.

The Ningampam group and Koropgapam group were from the Mindpakanem clan.

The body of the man from Koropgapam was found in a coffee garden owned by the Ningampams.

Men from Koropgapam retaliated and burnt down homes and destroyed properties belonging to the Ningampam people.

Jiwaka police managed to bring the situation under control.

The two groups were involved in fights between 2008 and 2010 resulting in the loss of five lives and destruction to properties.

Provincial police commander Supt Joseph Tondop said those involved would be brought to justice.

Tondop condemned the actions of the people saying they had no respect for life. 

“This is a criminal act, I have been going into the most remote areas in the province to conduct awareness to change people’s mentality but some people still cannot understand,” he said.

Tondop said the two groups lived next to the Minj Catholic mission.

He said many people left their village during the fight and had resettled recently in their village.