Peaceful festive season in Southern: Commander

ACTING Southern police commander John Maru says Papua New Guineans in Gulf, Northern and Milne Bay had celebrated Chirstmas and New Year peacefully.
“It was a very quiet festive holiday in Southern, unlike previous years when many unruly incidents were reported,” Maru said.
“The people should give themselves a pat on the back for displaying maturity and good behaviour during the celebrations.”
On another matter, five men broke into a house in Daga compound in Popondetta at about 6pm on Friday and stole a trunk containing Grade 10 certificates, K6,500, a DVD player, a power bank and other personal belongings.
“The owner returned home from work and found his house burglarised.
“It is believed that the suspects are known and are from the same compound,” Maru said.
At about 11pm on Thursday in Monge block in Sohe District, a man hit his wife with a stone during an argument and killed his wife.
During the argument, the wife packed her clothes and was trying to leave the house when the husband grabbed a stone and threw it, hitting her on the abdomen.
“The wife fell and her sister rushed her to Popondetta General Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
“The husband is now on the run,” Maru said.
And in Bora Village, Sohe, at about 7.30pm on Dec 30, about 20 masked men led by a village councillor burnt down a house after suspecting the owner for practising sorcery.
“The owner was with his family in the house when the councillor and the suspects armed with homemade guns and knives launched the attack.
“The house owner and his family fled into the bushes.
“We are investigating the incident and have yet to make any arrest,” Maru said.