Tondop warns tribes not to disrupt polling

POLICE in the highlands eastern end command has warned members of two warring tribes of Dei electorate in Western Highlands to respect a truce agreement or face the full brunt of the law if they try to disturb the smooth flow of General Election 2022(GE22).
The Kimka and the Rolgoka tribes fought over the Gumanch coffee plantation in March 2019, resulting in more than 50 deaths and properties worth thousands of kina destroyed.
Highlands eastern end deputy commander Joseph Tondop summoned leaders of the two parties last Wednesday (June 29) after reports of tensions brewing in the fighting zone in Mun. Tondop, who headed the peace process between the factions, was not happy that the truce agreement signed in June 2022 was breached when members of Kimka tribe tried to resettle in the fighting zone.
He said peace had already been established after the parties signed the truce agreement.
“But we still have customary obligations and we need to sort out those who have died in this bloody conflict before permanent peace agreement is signed.
“As it is, the conflict area is a no-go zone as per the agreement,” he said.
Tondop said that the truce agreement had laid the foundation for the journey to permanent peace agreement and this legally binding document must be observed at all times.
“So many lives have been lost and properties worth millions of Kina destroyed,” he said.
“I feel for the women and children that are displaced, they need to return to their homeland but agreement must be followed.”
Tondop said it would be a breach of agreement if members of the Kimka tribe moved into their area.
“I therefore issue the directive to the members of Kimka tribe who have just moved in to the conflict zone to immediately vacate and the Rolgakas to ease the tensions,” he said.
He said the timing was not right when people were preparing for a peaceful election in Dei.
“I can assure you that straight after the election declarations, we will start the permanent peace agreement process.”
Tondop warned any person who planned to breach the truce agreement and disturb the election to think twice.
He said people were preparing to take part in voting and members of the tribes must respect the rule of law instead of creating fear and tension.
“Police will come down hard any person who tries to instigate problem by breaching the agreement.”