Top cop warns villagers over councillor’s death

By PISAI GUMAR
Police will not tolerate or protect any people that have involved in the killing of village councillor Unchy Chero.
Morobe provincial police commander Supt Peter Guinness said the killing of Chero was brutal, wilfull murder.
Chero, from Munum village, near Lae, was chopped to death and burnt last Tuesday afternoon after a meeting by more than 2,000 villagers.
They accused him of sorcery and then proceeded to burn eight houses belonging to him and his family, chased him into the bush and killed him.
“Police investigations would find those involved in the killing and would have them brought to justice,” Guinness said.
“If the whole village was involved in the act, the entire community must be arrested and charged with wilfull murder.
“Even the glassman is also answerable. He has to clarify his methodologies and proof that Chero was the sorcerer and had caused the death of the Sudanese woman and the young lady.
“There is law in place and if Chero was suspected of practising sorcery, the community should have followed the available means to bring him to court.”
Guinness said that this month, Huon Gulf district recorded three murders, one attempted murder and drug and homemade guns cases.
It started from Morobe Salamaua and followed by Wampar.
“This indicates that something is wrong with the community,” he said.
He appealed to Huon Gulf MP and Health Minister Sasa Zibe and the
district administration to discuss with police and find ways to address increasing lawlessness in the electorate.