One dead, two hurt in Kokopo fight

ONE man is dead and two others admitted at the Nonga General Hospital in East New Britain following a clash between two groups in Kokopo district, police say.
Acting provincial police commander Senior Inspector Joseph Tabali said he and provincial administrator Wilson Matava managed to stop the fight between the people of Nordup at Gelagela in Rabaul, and those at Malakuna in Kokopo.
Matava told the ward leaders at Nordup to hand over the five men.
A meeting between leaders of both groups is scheduled for today at the Ralum police headquarters in Kokopo.
Tabali said the people of Malakuna were sick and tired of being harassed, including students attending the Waterhouse Primary School at Gelagela.
Dead was Anton Lokor, 45, of Ratongor who lived at Malakuna.
The two from Nordup seriously injured were Bilasus Pilakia, 50, and reserve police officer Andrew Pirino, 50.
Both were transferred from the St Mary’s Vunapope Hospital yesterday to Nonga Hospital’s emergency centre.
“The situation is very tense at Nordup and Malakuna. Police are closely monitoring the area,” Tabali said.
“I appeal to the people to respect authorities and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.”