Foreign Affairs Minister and Moresby South MP, Justin Tkatchenko, has intervened to address a potential ethnic conflict in Kaugere, following the death of a man who succumbed to injuries inflicted on him by a group of young men. The deceased from Hela Province, had been living in a property owned by the family of one of nine suspects from Gulf Province. The deceased's family organized a haus krai (a mourning gathering) and made demands for compensation from the families of the suspects, setting a deadline for their request. In a firm statement to both families at the haus krai, Minister Tkatchenko condemned the attack and the resulting death. He urged the family of the deceased to allow the law to take its course. “I completely condemn the attack and the unfortunate death. The suspects are now in police custody, and we must respect the legal process. They are innocent until proven guilty. However, no one is above the law." “This assistance is not meant to satisfy the demands of the deceased’s family. Let me be clear: we cannot continue to hold each other to ransom. The law must prevail." “I will assist with the costs for repatriation and the funeral so that the family can give the deceased a respectful farewell, honoring him with the dignity he deserves," said the MP. Minister Tkatchenko urged both parties involved to remain patient and allow the legal process to unfold, encouraging peaceful coexistence in the community. “As members of the Kaugere community, whether from Hela, Gulf, or Western Province, we must unite in times like this." "Stop fighting among ourselves, respect one another, and let the law take its course." “In difficult times, all leaders and individuals must come together for the common good of our community,” he concluded.