Student killed as exams begin

 By ZACHERY PER

A GRADE Eight student preparing to sit for the national examination that began yesterday was shot dead in a tribal fight at dawn.

The student, identified as Luke Daporima, was caught in a clash between his Aseranka tribesmen in Aiyura valley, Obura-Wonenara district, Eastern Highlands, and the Onamuna tribe at around 5am yesterday.

Police could not give details of the early morning fight yesterday.

Obura-Wonenara MP Mehrra Minne Kipefa is in Aiyura trying to broker a peace deal with the two warring parties. But they have so far refused to listen to him. 

Grade Eight students around the country began the national examinations yesterday.

Police said Daporima was the sixth person to be killed during the fight which began last week. He and one other person were from Aseranka, while the other four people were from Onamuna. 

The police operation commanded by Aiyura Police station commander Inspector John Hawa is providing security over State institutions in Aiyura valley and protecting staff and their families.

The institutions are National Agriculture Research Institute, Coffee Industry Corporation’s Research and Growers Services Division formerly the Coffee Research Institute, Aiyura Fisheries, Obura-Wonenara District Office, Aiyura National High School and Aiyura National High School. 

CIC chief executive officer Anton Benjamin had told his staff last week to leave the area if they felt unsafe there and return when the situation returns to normal.