Man shot, killed in LLG election fight

A MAN from the Kamanuku tribe in Kerowagi, Chimbu, was killed during the local level government elections on Monday, local police say.
Senior Sergeant Joe Baker said the incident occurred at Siure in the Upper-lower LLG where polling was held.
Baker said the incident started when a candidate at the polling booth lifted and threw a table into a crowd leading to a fight.
He alleged that many people at the polling area were armed and started fighting when the commotion started.
A man was shot with a gun during the fight.
He said the deceased was standing on the side of the road near a Catholic church, a short distance from the polling area when he was shot; he was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.
He said a suspect was apprehended and was now in police custody, however, the prime suspect who was known to police was still at large.
Baker said another incident occurred on Tuesday in which a young man form the Dalge tribe in Kerowagi was attacked by three men with a knife.
Baker said the man sustained serious injuries and was admitted to Kundiawa General Hospital.
He said the incident was not election related as the man was confronted by the three suspects and was stabbed when visiting a relative’s home.
Baker applauded the Dalge tribe for not retaliating and allowing police to arrest the suspect.
“ The police and community leaders condemn such actions of youths,” he said.
“They are drinking home brew and smoking drugs and behaving like animals and pose danger to the community.”