One man dies in clash between two villages

 By ZACHERY PER

A MAN has died and others  injured in a clash between two groups of villagers in Aiyura valley, outside Kainantu, Eastern Highlands.

Provincial police commander Supt John Kale yesterday appealed to the two groups to stop fighting immediately.

The fight began between two security employees of  the Coffee Industry Corporation’s (CIC) research and growers division.

It spread to their villages in Iranomba and Onamuna. The man who died was from the neighbouring Nofimpa village.

Police, with the support of Obura-Wonenara MP Mehrra Minne Kipefa and corporation officials intervened to bring the situation under control.

Employees of the corporation and the National Agriculture Research Institute were attacked. 

A corporation employee was admitted at the Goroka Base Hospital with bush knife wounds. 

Others fled in fear of their lives.

A police mobile squad with support from officers in Yonki, Kainantu and Aiyura are monitoring the situation in the valley.

In a meeting in Aiyura yesterday, Kipefa and Obura-Wonenara district administrator Erinu Kasong assured employees of CIC and NARI their safety and state properties were of paramount concern.

“We come to assure you that your safety is guaranteed,” Kipefa said.  “You can go back to and from your offices and homes.”  

He said he did not want to see the operations of government institutions disrupted.

The corporation management team on the ground include acting general manager industrial operation division Steven Tumae, John Barry 

and security manager Togu Yassah. 

The special police operation is headed by Aiyura police station commander, Insp John Hawa.