Tribes make pledge for peace

By ELIAS LARI
TWO tribes in Western Highlands involved in fights recently over the alleged killing of a man through poisoning have decided to restore peace.
A man was shot dead, homes burnt and people injured during the clash between the Kimka and Rolgoka tribes which also forced the closing down of the Mun Primary School and the health centre.
Members of two tribes came together last Sunday to shake hands after a peace agreement was brokered by Sam Koim, one of the district’s educated elites.
He visited both tribes and stop fighting because no-one benefitted from it.
Koim, from the Rolgoka tribe, who lives in Port Moresby, was accompanied to Dei by Mt Hagen police officers.
Tribal leaders from both sides thanked him for sacrificing his time and money to talk to them.
Koim told the people that he was so concerned about their welfare and their children’s future.
“My coming here is to show you that I don’t want you to fight. You have a choice right now to decide how your future will become. The fight is based on rumour and unconfirmed information which you have believed,” he said.
Koim also called on the Bank South Pacific to help end the dispute over the Gumanch coffee plantation.
The bank had placed the plantation under mortgage because of the unpaid bank loans. Kimka tribe leader Kuri Nok thanked Koim for restoring peace.
“Your actions show that you have a heart for the people,” Nok said.
Rolgaka tribe leaders Steven Ami and Cr Michael Tepra also called for a cease fire.
Dei police station commander Namba Kop praised Koim for what he did to end the fighting.