Student in custody over man’s death

A 23-YEAR-OLD man alleged to have been involved in the killing of man in Madang on Saturday is in police custody, a senior police officer says.
Madang police commander acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang said the suspect, who is a grade 12 student at Saidor Secondary School, was alleged to have been involved in the murder of an elderly man at Dylup along the North Coast road.
Rubiang said the victim was killed over accusations of practising sorcery.
He said police were investigating the death.
Some properties were also damaged during the incident and it this is also being investigated.
Rubiang said the deceased’s body was now at the Modilon General Hospital morgue.
He said police were able to arrest the suspect at a boat stop as he was trying to travel to Saidor.
The suspect is being detained at Jomba Police Station.
In another incident, on the same day along the South Coast road at Dogia a man was hit by a vehicle and killed.
Rubiang said police were investigating the hit-and-run incident.
He said the vehicle involved was yet to be located.
Rubiang said killings were being reported daily in the province and this showed that people did not respect each other.
“I want the people who are living along the road to be always cautious when walking near it,” he said.
“Hit-and-run accidents are being reported every month and that is not a good sign.
“People must make sure to clear the road sides and walk some distance away from the road to avoid being hit.”