Villagers arrested after shooting of councillor, burning of 52 houses

POLICE have rounded up a group of suspects allegedly involved in fighting in Salamaua on Aug 3.
Morobe police commander Supt Alex N’drasal, said the suspects were allegedly involved in the burning of 52 houses and shooting of a councillor during the fight near Kela village.
The fight reportedly started following a dispute over old weapons disposed during the Second World War.
Huon Gulf acting district chief executive officer Moses Wanga said interior communities from Popdubi and other areas along the Black Cat Trek allegedly dug the old weapons disposal site at Kela village, opposite the bay at Salamaua Station. That angered Kela villagers who mobilised and fought against those involved in digging the relics on several occasions. The fight involved the Kela, Laugui, Kamiatum and Popdubi villagers.
N’drasal said village leaders had handed over the suspects to police.
“They have surrendered the suspects involved in the fight but they are yet to surrender the firearms,” N’drasal said.
“We have talked with all parties involved in the fight and they have agreed to compensate each other and stop fighting. “Compensation will, however, not prevent police from doing their work. “We will still charge those people involved in the fight.”
N’Drasal said a group of soldiers from the Igam Barracks in Lae were working alongside police to secure the area where war ammunitions, weapons and bombs were disposed. He said authorities did not want villagers to tamper with the wartime ordinances so they were protecting them.
N’drasal warned locals not to cause any further problems but resolve their differences and live in peace.
Huon Gulf MP Ross Seymour is expected to meet the affected villagers this week to talk with them and round up any further suspects.