Three killed, village torched

By NICHOLAS SIREO
Police and Defence Force personnel were deployed to Sialum in Morobe to quell a tribal fight following the killing of several men and burning down of an entire village.
Morobe police commander Augustine Wampe confirmed that three men were killed and a village was burnt down after an ongoing dispute between two villages resurfaced a few weeks ago.
He said the fighting started between Karogo and Jacobet villagers after two men from Jacobet were arrested for possessing drugs and sentenced to prison.
“Jacobet villagers blamed the arrest on Karogo villagers so they attacked Karogo village and killed three of their men.  Karogo villagers retaliated and they mobilised to Jacobet village and burnt down the entire village,” Wampe  the The National.
He said a Grade 8 boy was chopped to pieces and the others were speared to death during fighting.
“Members of the Rural Patrol Unit and a team of mobile squad were flown in last week to control the situation,” Wampe said.
“It is understood that a contingent of soldiers were also sent in to assist police to monitor and bring the situation under control.”
He said there were rumours that the fighting might escalate and Sialum Station might come under attack.
Wampe said the security forces were monitoring the situation closely.  “I have directed my men to arrest ringleaders of those responsible for the killings and arson,” he said
“We are in a civilised world and there is no place for tribal fighting and killings.
He said 18 soldiers and 10 police personnel were on the ground and the situation was calm but tense.