Tribal fighting, killing starts in Transgogol

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
TRIBAL fighting and killings have resumed in Madang’s Transgogol after police deployed there to maintain law and order last year ended its operations and withdrew.
According police officers with the criminal investigation division (CID) based in Madang, the fighting and killing were not reported because people were scared of repercussions from the tribal fighters.
A senior CID officer told The National that there had been at least three murders recently but police could not pursue the matter because of lack of transport.
Madang commander Supt Mazuc Rubiang also confirmed the law and order problem in Transgogol and that the situation still needed police presence.
“We have been trying our best to control the situation but the people are not cooperating with us,” he said.
“They don’t even want to tell us where the crime scenes are.
“We are unable to solve the security problem in Transgogol.
“Only community leaders and the people can resolve it by laying down their arms and discussing peace.
“We also have limited resources while innocent villagers are being attacked and killed.
“We need the support of community leaders to police effectively.”
Supt Rubiang said on Monday that a severely wounded man was sent to the Jomba Police Station and he had to be sent to hospital for treatment.
“The man did not return to the police station to help in investigations as told,” he said.