PM gives K20,000 to family of slain student

By PETER WARI
PRIME Minister and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill has given K20,000 to the relatives of a student killed in a fight with villagers to help with his funeral expenses.
The money was presented by deputy district chief executive officer Michael Ariando and community leader of Siwitame Siro Yoko at Pakule village on Saturday.
The body of Ben Yando, a Grade 11 student at the Ialibu Secondary in Southern Highlands, was taken to his Pakule village on Friday from the Mt Hagen funeral home.
He died during a fight between students and villagers allegedly over differences on the appointment of two principals to the school.
His fellow classmate Jordan Clitus is still recovering from injuries in hospital.
On Saturday, school board members headed by deputy chairman Vincent Pere and Ariando attended the funeral service.
Meanwhile, students and Yando’s family are insisting that the school will remain closed until police arrest those responsible for the killing.
His brother Jessy Ombel said his family and tribesmen would only make peace if police arrested the people involved.
He questioned education authorities in Mendi, Ialibu Secondary and Ialibu-Pangia administration what guarantee of safety for the students would be given if the school was reopened.
“I don’t want any other innocent student to die like my brother. The issue of two principals is the cause of everything and the delay in arresting suspects after their names have been handed over to police is very bad,” he said.