Relatives of victim urged to accept K30,000 compensation

 MOROBE community leaders in Lae have urged Chimbu relatives of the murdered seminarian to accept a K30,000 compensation offered by Western Highlanders instead of the K500,000 they demanded.

Kay Takising, from Finschhafen, Morobe, who sat in the meeting last Wednesday with the two parties at the Lae Central police station, said the rejection by the Chimbus of the offer by the Western Highlanders could fuel more violence.

Takising said the family of the young pastor Michael Kewa, who was killed last month in a moving PMV bus by the crew members from Western Highlands, rejected an initial K20,000 and an additional K10,000.

Takising said the maximum compensation claim in Morobe recognised by the Morobe provincial government was K5,000.

“Morobe leaders have a big problem with increasing law and order problems. The suspects are already arrested and in custody and awaiting their trial. The Chimbus must respect the rule of law,” he said.

He said other Morobe community leaders would withdraw their support on that matter if the Chimbus continued with their compensation demand.

Takising also called on Kewa’s family to accept the amount offered for the widow and child whosewelfare was important at this time.

The two parties will again meet today with the Morobe leaders and police to sort out the compensation claim.