Police: Families flee homes following threats

POLICE say 50 families have fled their homes in the Nayudo, Rai Coast, Madang, following threats made to them by the Hetwara gang.
The gang alleges that Mibu and Tariknan villagers had conspired with police to have the gang leaders arrested.
Villagers are seeking refuge in the mountains near the two villages.
A Madang police spokesman said they were seeking assistance from police headquarters in Port Moresby to send the Madang taskforce team back to the area.
According to a local, the gang of about 20 men is led by four brothers. The local, requesting anonymity, told The National that the men got together in 2020 to fight sorcery allegations and so-called sorcerers in the area.
“However, since 2020, they have turned their attention to attacking innocent locals as well. They have become unpredictable. This time, they have threatened the villagers who are hiding in fear for their lives,” the local said. “The word from the gang is that they are ready to face police and fight till the death.
“They have now taken on a cult activity of worshiping a skull mounted on a stick.
“The skull belongs to a mentally-ill person who died several years ago. The skull was removed from the grave and prayed to by the group.”
The gang is believed to be armed with guns, bows and arrows and bush knives.
The villagers have requested police to return to the area to arrest the gang and their leaders.