Author: Samuel RAITANO

A man from Hela Province has been convicted by the District Court in Mt Hagen to serve 10 years in prison if he does not have K30, 000 to pay fines for smuggling marijuana via Kagamuga Airport. The defendant, Gini Pini from Tigibi, Hulia LLG in Hela Province was found guilty and convicted by Mt Hagen District Court Magistrate Kimberly Berem on Wednesday. The defendant had testified that he did bribe the security guards at Kagamuga Airport to move the drugs out to coastal provinces. Kagamuga Airport police did the arrest upon tip off by National Airport Corporation (NAC) Aviation…

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With the current reports by local and overseas media regarding a tribal fight situation at Akom, Enga Province on Sunday, Enga Provincial Police Commander George Kakas has clarified that police reports had 26 bodies retrieved and not more than 50 as initially reported. This was after he first revealed earlier today that there were more than 50 bodies and later had the figure reconfirmed as lower. PPC Kakas says searches for more bodies was going on but 26 have been retrieved in partnership with PNGDF security personnel. Meanwhile, attempts are being made to obtain responses from the Enga Governor and…

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53 Men have been confirmed to have been killed on Sunday morning in an ambush by enemy tribes in Wabag, Enga Province according to local Police. Enga Provincial Police Commander George Kakas, confirms that the 53 Men killed were from the Sikin/Kaekin tribes who had gone to stage an attack on the Ambulin/Itokon tribes but were taken off guard, ambushed and killed. This clarifies the recent photos going viral on social media showing dead bodies piled up on a Police truck. It is understood that more bodies are expected to be retrieved today by neighbouring tribes assisted by PNGDF counterparts.…

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All shops in the heart of Mt Hagen City, Western Highlands Province, have closed doors today in fear of opportunists taking advantage of yesterday’s chaos in Port Moresby. PNG HAUSBUNG witnessed mobs moving around in groups this morning, keeping eyes out for opportunities to pounce at any shop that gets opened for business today. However, police have been seen patrolling the city streets to ward off any attacks and disturbances in town. Women, children and vulnerable members of the community are urged to stay at home. Meanwhile, calls have been made on the youths and opportunists that the buildings in…

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Police in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province have prepared for Prime Minister (PM) James Marape’s visit today. Plans for the security arrangements were discussed with all divisional heads of the police force in Mt Hagen, following the end of the year parade at Kimninga Police Barracks yesterday. Provincial Police Commander (PPC) John Sagom who is back in the province after being in Solomon Islands for the last two months as commander of the PNG security contingent for the Pacific Games, said the appropriate security measures have been taken into consideration for the PM’s visit. It is understood that Prime Minister…

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The tribal fighting in Wapenamanda, Enga Province which raged for almost two years, has gradually come to a halt, with the warring factions being served with preventative orders, which were accepted by the parties last week. Enga Provincial Police Commander George Kakas, Kandep MP and Minister for Higher Education Science and Technology Don Polye, as well as Enga Provincial Government through its Law-and-Order directorate witnessed the peace efforts. PPC Kakas said there were two different fights around the same time, which amalgamated into one bloody battle, which had seen killings going viral on social and local mainstream media as well…

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Mt Hagen Open MP and Acting Prime Minister William Duma has expressed sorrow for the loss of Dei MP Steven Pim who passed away over the weekend. Duma told PNG HAUSBUNG that it was very heart breaking for the colleague MPs in Western Highlands to lose a colleague MP who was into the fourteenth month as a Parliamentarian. Duma says late Pim had a lot to offer and his loss was also a great loss for Dei electorate and Western Highlands Province. He relayed his condolences to the immediate family, friends, and tribesmen of the late Member for Dei. It…

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With the restoration of the Eagle monument at Independence Hill in Mt Hagen City, the Provincial Rugby League team Hagen Eagles will also see rebuilding of a competent team management structure. That’s the joint assurance from Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa and Hagen Open MP William Duma during the recent 48 Independence Anniversary Celebration at Queens Park in Mt Hagen. The two leaders announced that major changes will be done to the Hagen Eagles team management, going forward. This is to restore the pride of the home team that has been performing below par in the Digicel ExxonMobil Cup Competition…

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Four escapees from Buiebi prison in Southern Highlands Province who took part in the mass break out yesterday have been shot dead. Southern Highlands Provincial Police Commander Joseph Puri told PNG HAUSBUNG this afternoon that 47 escaped but four were shot, one has been recaptured and 42 are still on the run. Police and Correctional Services officers are on the lookout now. The call is on the public and the villagers around Buiebi and Asisa areas to keep eyes out for the 42 escapees. Meanwhile, PMVs and private vehicle owners are also being urged to scrutinise people, especially males asking…

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Mt Hagen General Hospital in Western Highlands Province, on Monday opened its recently refurbished staff clinic and four rooms for on- call staff at the Hospital. The opening was done by Acting Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority CEO Dr. Jonah Kurubi. The availability of the rooms will now ensure duty staff can sleep on site and are available quickly when needed, instead of having drivers to do pick up and drop off at their homes during odd hours. Dr. Kurubi said this will also ensure more timely response to urgent patient demands. The staff clinic will also have a database…

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