Release escapee, say villagers

THREE communities in Astrolabe Bay council area are calling on neighbouring Kouvung villagers to release a convicted murderer and prison escapee to police before they lift road blocks along the Raicoast highway in Madang province.
Lalok village leaders, Ange Pariwe, and John Miridge Balla, and youths from Namba 4 and Bom villages are hunting for Abul Kadam alias Barike.
Kadam was jailed for rape and later convicted of murdering his wife from Bom village. He escaped for a second time from Beon jail and is on the run.
Pariwe said Kadam is the main culprit behind various lawlessness activities in the area but the community harbours him and refuses to give him up to the police.
On Tuesday, Lalok, Namba 4, Bom and Rereu villagers tried to capture Kadam but were fought off by Kouvung villagers.
“The community needs to bring him out or we will use force,” Pariwe added.