Nine hurt, properties damaged in fight over water

By JIMMY KALEBE
A FIGHT among people of ward five in the Wampar local-level government, Huon Gulf in Morobe on Sunday, has left nine people injured and properties destroyed.
The fight occurred after a family was attacked when trying to fetch water from Pusika village.
Witnesses said the family, from Yesua village at the end of Markham Bridge, went to the other side of the village to fetch water and were allegedly attacked by people taking care of the water source.
Afisip community leader David Morris said a family consisting of a man and five young women were trying to fetch water when landowners allegedly attacked them.
“As a result, Yesua villagers retaliated,” he said. “Traffic was disrupted and police came in to control the situation.”
Morris said the reason behind this problem was water shortage in the community.
The only water supply there serves the communities of Yesua, Busiga, Lupu and Zero Block.
“The water supply that was meant to serve the people of ward five did not reach people from Yesua and Zero Block,” Morris said.
“They were banned by other landowners from using the water supply. This is a community project for the ward. It should not be confined to a certain people only.”
Nine people sustained injuries during the fight.
Afisip chief landlord Jack Sagaling said the situation was now under control. He said police were aware of those who instigated the problem and arrests would be made soon.
Rural police coordinator Jimmy Yaring said yesterday that he was yet to confirm the report.