Morobe woman raped

 A WOMAN was allegedly raped and a former teacher sustained severe knife wounds to both hands following an attack near the Kumalu River in Mumeng, Bulolo, Morobe.

Angry villagers from Timini, Gurako, Patep, Parakris and Zenag retaliated and burnt down a house and demanded K50,000 from nearby villages around the river as compensation. The suspects are at large while police were deployed to Kumalu River to monitor the situation as well provide security to the travelling public crossing the flooded river since Sunday.

The victims were attacked on Tuesday between 6pm and 7pm when they were returning home from the Baiyune High School after enrolling children. Bulolo Police Station commander Leo Kaikas confirmed the incident but was unable to provide details.

Mumeng Police Station commander Sgt Sineka Dana could not be reached for comment.

Mumeng council president Okam Paton said the victims were from Gurako and Zenag, respectively.

Paton said thugs had set up makeshift bridges across the river and were collecting fees from the travelling public who crossed.

A group of mothers fled the scene when they approached the bridge but one of them was not so lucky. 

She was threatened with a knife and raped, while others held a male teacher and wounded his hands.