Mass burial for victims

By CRETILDA ALOKAKA and DYLAN MURRAY
A MASS burial will be held today for the 11 individuals killed during an attack on Tuesday at Tole village in Enga police say.
Enga police commander acting Supt George Kakas said from the 11 dead, eight were from Kumbin, a sub-clan of Piau tribe in Wabag, two were from Kamanwan tribe also in Wabag and one was from the Porealin tribe in Kompiam-Ambum.
“Most of the deceased were chopped with axes and bush knives while some were shot with high-powered firearms,” Kakas said of the brutal slayings.
“Some of the bodies were burnt during the attack.”
Police alleged that around 6am, three tribes from Wabag had allied and carried out a surprise attack on the Sangu tribe from the Kompiam-Ambum.
“Komborau Pepet, Piau Kaimangun and Kunalin Kai tribes attacked the Sangu tribe killing two men,” he said.
He said around 7am, tribesmen of the two deceased from the Sangu tribe mobilised with their allies from the Mun and Male’e tribes and attacked the innocent Kumbin sub-clan. “The Kumbin tribe is a sub-clan of the Paiau tribe,” he said.
“This tribe was not involved in the killing of the two men from Sangu tribe.”
Kakas said the Sangu and allies killed anyone they came across hence the nine lives, burnt eight houses down, destroyed gardens and slaughtered livestock.
He added that during the same raid, 11 children under the age of 10 were allegedly kidnapped.
“They were loaded in a 10-seater vehicle and driven away to Anditale in Ambum valley.
“However, the PNGDF and Police quickly responded and rescued the children.”
He said investigations were continuing and with preliminary findings, police would be able to determine those involved and make arrests.
Kakas urged the public not to spread unverified information about this matter on social media platforms as it could provoke anger and spark more violence.