The Provincial Member for Madang, Ramsey Pariwa, has urged the older generation of men in the Trans-Gogol Local Level Government area to abandon the practices of cultism and black magic. He emphasized that Papua New Guinea has transitioned into the modern era, and such outdated and harmful traditions should be completely left behind. Mr. Pariwa said the cult practices is influencing youths to carry around bush knives in gangs referred to as ‘cuttings’ and causing barbaric killings and is causing fear amongst many rural communities in Trans-Gogol areas in Madang district. Consequently, the evil practices of “cuttings’ has also disrupted the flow of basic government services such as health and education into many places in Trans-Gogol LLG. Mr. Pariwa was at Bemal village in ward four of Trans-Gogol local level government last Friday to discuss a way forward for a new Trans Gogol TRP Landowners Association. However, during the gathering he cautioned the village elders from Bemal, Baisarik, Jobto, Yal, Tebesarik and their neighbors to stop the bad practices of cult activities which is influencing village youths to carry around bush knives and doing barbaric killings. Governor Pariwa said the influence of cult practices has triggered barbaric killings in Trans-Gogol and has spread to Rai Coast, Madang, Sumkar and also influenced the infamous ‘Hetwara Gang’ in Nayudo LLG of Rai Coast district. He said when the ‘cuttings’ is stopped in Trans-Gogol then other places in Madang would stop the bad practices. Mr. Pariwa said since he took office as governor he has already officiated in a number of reconciliation and peace ceremonies associated with ‘cuttings’. These included reconciliation at Suwao in South Ambenob, Bau and Trans-Gogol secondary school. The Madang Rural Police Commander, Senior Inspector, Peter Gorek who accompanied Governor Pariwa to Bemal village last Friday also called on the old people who possess traditional spells in their possessions to throw them away in the rivers. Senior Inspector Gorek said he has developed a special police operation which would soon penetrate into the hot spot areas where ‘cuttings’ is crack down on their activities. Governor Pariwa said the fear and effects of the so-called ‘cuttings’ is deterring basic government services such as infrastructure development, health and education to reaching the rural people in Trans-Gogol LLG.