Police maintaining calm in Kainantu after tribal fight

THERE has been no more reported fighting in Kainantu, Eastern Highlands, in the 24 hours up to yesterday as police continued to maintain their presence in the district.
Provincial police commander Supt Michael Welly told The National that the police were maintaining the calm after 19 people were killed in two days of intense fighting last week.
“Police have taken the stand of blocking off strategic entry points to either side of both clans,” he said.
“We have stopped them from advancing to each other’s territory.
“We will continue to maintain visibility in the area.”
On Thursday morning, as the Tapo and Agarabi clans in Kainantu were at the district office to sign a peace agreement after a previous clash, two women fought over a personal matter, invoking fear and suspicion on both sides toward each other that sparked fighting again.
Police Commissioner David Manning and Northern Command ACP Peter Guinness responded to the call for assistance by Supt Welly, with the Northern mobile group arriving into Goroka on Friday morning.
“Due to the sensitivity of the signing, the two factions having suspicion or fear of either side attacking each other may have thought that their enemies were starting the fight again,” Supt Welly said.
“Both sides then ran out to gather their weapons hidden somewhere within the periphery of town and started to attack each other.
“That’s where the fight broke out on Thursday where some lives were lost and then continued into Friday.”