The Commissioner of Police David Manning urged community leaders in to control community matters and prevent violence in the local communities in Enga Province.
Manning addressed this directive this week following the death of five people as the aftermath of the tribal fight between Poreyalin and Kalyimb tribes of Kompiam in Enga Province over recent days.
Commissioner Manning has confirmed that Police have intervened following a deadly fight and said five people were brutally murdered in fighting between the two villages that he described as a disgrace that is once again a failure of local leadership to control their tribesmen.
“Time and time again weak community leadership results in death. These leaders must take a look at themselves and think about the devastation that they allow to take place.”
“Weak leadership by elders not only allows this violence to happen but encourages it.”
“This becomes a police issue when community grievances are not addressed by community leadership, leading to fighting and death.”
“Local leaders have to take responsibility, lead their people to peace and break this unacceptable cycle of violence.”
He condemned the actions of these tribesmen describing them as disgusting in which this behavior is keeping their people disadvantaged.”
“How can they expect to have a better life for their children if they continue to have these disgraceful fights. Tribal violence has no place in a modern Papua New Guinea.”
“Police will respond, arrest those responsible and work to prevent bloodshed, but we cannot arrest our way out of this situation.”
Commissioner Manning called upon the leaders of Enga, from elected leaders to village leaders, to wake up and intervene to save their own people.
Meanwhile, police investigations and community intervention remain ongoing under the command of the acting Provincial Police Commander and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Regional Operations).
Although the Commissioner’s directive of control and prevention was pointed to the People of Enga Province, it was serves as a general waring to all tribal groups in every province to allow police to settle violent conflict to prevent death and destruction.