Ottio motorcade stopped

By MELTON PAIS
RELATIVES of the late Kato Ottio from his father’s side stopped a planned motorcade through the city yesterday demanding that the body be given to them as they had been left out of the funeral and burial arrangements.
A convoy of cars was supposed to have taken the body from the Erima Funeral Home at 3pm yesterday to Ottio’s home in Tatana village to be buried there today.
However, Koiari relatives blocked the entrance of the Funeral Home.
The PNGRFL in a brief statement to the media said an attempt was made by the Ottio family to allow the motorcade to proceed but it was unsuccessful.
“Earlier Kato’s brother Henry Ottio, who had flown in from US, addressed the disgruntled group but they stood firm and threatened to close the gate until their demands were properly addressed,” the PNGRFL said.
The confrontation between the Koiaris and villagers from Tatana turned violent with some vehicles stoned as well as people chased from the vicinity.
“Due to the tense situation, the funeral procession has been deferred until further notice after the families meet and resolve their differences.”
Ottio’s Koiari relatives initially demanded that his body stay overnight with them at Hunters teammate and fellow Koiari Adam Korave’s residence at Erima.
The situation was tense as vehicles exiting the Funeral Home were checked.
Tatana villagers who had congregated to escort the casket were attacked at the gate. Although it could not be confirmed whether anyone was injured or how manycars were damaged PNGRFL officials aborted the programme.
The confrontation lasted for more than 30 minutes and could have become a police matter had the people not. Hunters coach Michael Marum is understood to have spoken to both parties but left with his players soon after.
The body remained at the Funeral Home and is expected to be taken to Tatana today for burial.