Post-elections violence erupts in EHP, Chimbu

By ZACHERY PER
POST-election violence is erupting in parts of Chimbu and Eastern Highlands, resulting in killings and destruction of property.
Tens of thousands of kina worth of property in Chimbu and Eastern Highlands have been destroyed after the declaration of election results this week.
In Chimbu, a young man had his right hand chopped off, while in Eastern Highlands three people were confirmed dead with homes and property destroyed, including a vehicle owned by a losing candidate.
Provincial police commander Supt Augustine Wampe confirmed tribal fights in Kerowagi and Gumine districts.
Outgoing Kerowagi MP Guma Wau’s Dagle tribes declared war against their neighbouring Kamaneku tribe in Kerowagi after blaming them for not supporting Wau.
Wau’s faction attacked clan groups whom they alleged did not vote for him by torching their homes and chasing them away.
Wampe said several thousands of kina worth of property, including houses, coffee trees, domesticated animals and food gardens were destroyed.
Eyewitnesses from the area who did not want to be named confirmed the use of high-powered guns in the tribal fight.
Wampe said a young man lost his right arm in an attack by supporters of a losing candidate in the Gena area of Kerowagi district.
The victim was identified as Miugle Yer, from the Gena Komainde clan. He was attacked by supporters of a candidate, who was eliminated in the final five counts.
Siune mobilised his Gena Komainde-Goglkane clansmen and hunted for supporters of rival candidates from Gena.
“They confronted Yer (victim) and chopped his right arm off. He was rushed to Kundiawa General Hospital.
“The severed right arm was still in the village, we buried it and are monitoring his condition in the hospital,” an eyewitness who refused to be named said.