Porgera is in full panic mode as a full out tribal war erupted between two rival tribes affecting the learning at the Porgera Secondary School.
The Deputy Principle of the school, Mr. Amos Amail has advised that even though there is security personnel from the Papua New Guinea Defense Force patrolling the area, movement of students to and from school has been strained.
“Even though defense force personnel are around, with are still fearing for our lives because the warring tribes are still out there, roaming the streets,” Mr. Amail said.
Mr. Amail remarked that despite the clashes, students were being urged to return to school and two thirds of the students have returned to school. He said the clashes have directly affected student learning as students are fearing for their lives.
“We are also fearing for our lives as well because we know that as soon as the security forces leave, we will be left to the mercy of the warring tribes,” Mr. Amail said.
He also added that two females were raped, one was a pregnant woman 7-8 pregnant and that the defense force operating in the area shot dead 3 men as they were attempting to charge into the school.
The tribes at war are said to be between the Aiyal and the Nomal tribes, and is said the conflict between the two was due to a land dispute that has been going on for 4-5years.