Police oppose ransom

POLICE in Enga have discouraged relatives of two women hostages not to negotiate for ransom in exchange for their freedom.
Provincial Police Commander Supt George Kakas yesterday said the suspects allegedly shot and killed a 62-year-old village court magistrate and took the women captives recently.
He said the Aiyela tribesmen who were mostly migrants from neighbouring Kandep district, had been fighting the Normalee tribesmen for more than a decade.
“They fled with the women who security forces on the ground are attempting to rescue,” Kakas said.
“The deceased and the two women are not part of the tribal conflict.” He said the women were held captives by suspects at their hideouts behind the Paiam mountain ranges in Porgera.
“As on Monday (Sept 19), we received word that the women have made contact with their relatives and are telling them that their captors want some form of ransom for their release.
“That was only one call through a Digicel number that was picked up by a relative.
“The women say they are alive and well but did not disclose their whereabouts.
“I am telling my PSC (police station commander) to ask the relatives not to negotiate for ransom as it will set a bad precedent,” he said.