Man shot, houses burnt during fight in Wewak

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
A MAN was shot and wounded in Wewak during a fight among villagers at Koiken outside Wewak town on Wednesday, according to police.
East Sepik police commander (PPC) Supt Albert Beli told The National that the victim, Raymond Kuman, was shot in his stomach with a homemade gun and was admitted at the Boram Hospital.
He said two houses were also burnt down during the fight and the situation was tense but under control with police monitoring the situation.
He said the incident was being investigated.
Supt Beli said he had negotiated with Koiken village ward councillor Martin Itoro on how they would solve the problem and arrest those responsible for burning the houses and the suspect who shot Kuman.
He also called on Koiken villagers to work with police to solve the problem.
Supt Beli cautioned them not to retaliate as this would make things worse.
Meanwhile, he thanked the Papindo Supermarket in Wewak for donating food rations to the police during their state of emergency operations in the province.
He said the company and others in Wewak had helped local police over the years with vehicles and fuel.