The recent violent payback attacks along the Laiagam-Sirunki Highway have resulted in nine individuals dead and many others severely injured in Enga Province, triggered by an unresolved death case.
This is according to the Acting Assistant Commissioner for Police (A/ACP) Joseph Tondop and Command Highland Western End.
According to a recent statement from A/ACP Tondop on the 22nd of October, these incidents mark a revenge plot in tribal violence.
The recent conflict on Tuesday 22nd of October is tied to the death of Mulapin Kulyapane in March 2024, who was brutally killed, sparking a cycle of retaliatory violence that is unprecedented in the region’s history.
The key suspects in this earlier case have reportedly gone into hiding, complicating efforts to restore peace.
In response to the rising violence, A/ACP Joseph Tondop mobilized the Investigation Task Force (ITF) and Criminal Investigation Departments (CID) to conduct thorough investigations into the events.
Tondop’s directives include immediate investigations, increased security measures, and a temporary curfew to deter further escalations.
He committed to documenting each case meticulously and has called on the community for cooperation.
The recent event on Tuesday 22nd of October triggered violence due to the suspended case in March, with an empty attempt to apprehend the man responsible.
The first incident began with an ambush by gunmen from the Mulapin tribe on October 18, targeting a vehicle carrying passengers from the Sakare clan.
The attack, which occurred near Tambitanis Health Centre, led to the death of a woman and serious injuries to others.
Just hours later, in retaliation, members of the Sakare clan ambushed a public vehicle, resulting in the driver and crew sustaining fatal injuries.
Amidst this turmoil, the leadership of the Kunalin and Lyain tribes, known for their advocacy of peace, have called for restraint and urged their communities to avoid further violence.
They are actively cooperating with law enforcement to ensure justice prevails, emphasizing the need for suspects from both tribes to surrender peacefully.
The situation remains dire, with the most recent attack on October 22 resulting in six deaths, including that of a bus driver, during an ambush by the Lyain clan.
With two individuals on life support and the status of others unknown, the urgency for action has intensified.
A/ACP Tondop has urged community members to avoid roadblocks and cooperate with authorities as the investigations unfold, reaffirming that there is no refuge for those involved in the violence.
This tragic series of events underscores the need for immediate interventions to restore peace and security in Enga Province, as community leaders and law enforcement work together to prevent further loss of life.