Police nab 13 in election fight

By ZACHERY PER
POLICE in Chimbu have arrested 13 people for allegedly being involved in an election-related tribal fight in Kerowagi district, provincial police commander Augustine Wampe said yesterday.
“We have arrested 13 people, including the suspect who threw the daughter of a tribal enemy into the burning house at Ganigle, in Dagle tribe, in Kerowagi,” Supt Wampe said.
He said some of those arrested were in custody while others had appeared before the court.
He commended his offices, especially rural police commander Snr Insp Peter Kama, Kerowagi Police station commander James Kua and Sgt Joe Wakai for showing leadership and maturity in facilitating an excellent mediation process.
“The leaders want a fast facilitation of peace process and we are facilitating it. We are waiting for an appropriate time to finalise the peace process to restore normalcy in the Dagle area,” he said.
He said police were taking control of the situation in areas facing with election-related tribal fights, especially in Gumine and Kerowagi districts.
Wampe warned people to take extra precautionary measures when moving about the district, especially in districts facing election petitions.
He called on political leaders in the province to support police with logistics to combat law and order problems.
“We are logistically handicapped, the police task force members are beating the streets to fight law and order problems. We need vehicles to move around the province.
“I call on MPs from the province to buy vehicles for police,” Wampe said.