Villagers call on governor to end fights

 MENGINPOL villagers from the Koll local level government in Upper Jimi, Jiwaka, are calling on their governor and the police to help restore peace so they can return to their village and resume normal life.

Women and children fled to mid-Ramu and along the Waghi Bridge as a result of a fight between the Menginpol and the Kui council ward.

The villagers’ representative Joseph Molomb said: “All we ask is that the police, together with the governor and peace mediators, help restore peace and order by committing to arresting the suspects. 

“My people have agreed to let the law prevail,” Molomb said.

“So we want police in Jiwaka and Banz must play their parts.”

The fighting between the Menginpol and the Kui council wards resulted from the killing of a teacher.

Compensation payment of K9,000 and some pigs had been presented to the victim’s family in the Kui council ward. 

Included in the compensation were two young girls aged 13 and 15.

Lack of police effort to apprehend the suspects since the fight started had sparked a second fight that led to properties worth of thousands of kina being destroyed. 

Included in the damaged properties was the Menginpol Community School.