Police act swiftly to stop deadly clash

QUICK action by police has prevented what could have been a deadly clash between two ethnic groups in Daru, Western province, yesterday.
Provincial police chief Insp Silva Sika said Sevelamabu and Wabada villagers of South Fly residing in Daru were about to fight each other but police responded swiftly and neutralised the situation.  Sika said the fight started after a 17-year-old Sevelamabu girl who went to sell her fish at the Daru Fish Market was held up at knife-point by a Wabada youth. 
The girl’s brother, who was with her, fought the offender off.
 “The offender mobilised his people and went and destroyed two houses belonging to the girl’s family,” Sika said.
He said the girl’s family were gathering weapons to retaliate when police intervened and dispersed them.
“A suspect who was with the offender was also caught by police,” Sika said.
Police said the suspect was wanted by police for other offences including stealing 20 cartons of beer from a Daru supermarket.