Two killed trying to stop fights

POLICE have arrested four suspects in connection with two separate murders in East New Britain’s Kokopo, commander Chief Insp Joseph Tabali says.
He said between 4am and 5am on Sunday in Bitapaka’s Watwat village, John Anzi, 35, tried to stop a fight between two drunkards.
However, one of the drunkards slashed Anzi’s head, left leg and both hands with a bush knife.
Anzi was rushed to the St Mary’s Vunapope Hospital few hours after the incident but died upon arrival due to heavy loss of blood.
In the other murder, a 16-year-old boy was killed when he was also trying to stop a fight between two drunkards in Banana Camp (settlement) in Seaview near Takubar in Kokopo at about 5pm on Sunday.
Tabali said one of the drunkards grabbed a 1.5m-long sharp iron rod which was used for husking coconuts and hit the teenager on his forehead.
“The teenager died on the spot,” he added.
Tabali said: “In my Christmas and New Year message, I had warned the public, especially men, not consume too much alcohol when celebrating the festive session.
“But some refused to listen or take my advice. And we now have two alcohol-related murders.
“I am warning those who are bottling homebrew that we will come down hard on you.”