Normalcy is slowly returning to the township of Wewak as authorities and community leaders continue to hold peace talks between the conflicting factions of the fight that saw Wewak town in East Sepik province in a standstill since Sunday last week.
East Sepik Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Albert Beli said the situation remain tense however fighting has stopped.
The fight between the settlers at Wewak Bay (Basis) and Mengar villagers last Sunday has resulted in seven lives lost and homes and properties completely destroyed with displaced families now forced to seek refuge.
“It has been a tough week for all of us here but we’re slowly taking things under control,” Mr. Beli said.
“I’ve held talks with the Deputy Governor, the Provincial Administrator and community leaders and are looking to have a peace ceremony next Wednesday with both parties.”
The fight initially started during a volleyball match where a community leader from Mengar village was shot at by youths from the settlement and died at the hospital afterwards.
Superintendent Beli said police have struggled with manpower during the initial start of the fight but the issue was sorted out following the deployment of Special Services Division (SSD) personnel from Port Moresby into the province.
“This has boosted the security operations around the conflicting areas to prevent any spill over.”
He said while police continue to secure the area, investigations into the incident itself has commenced and talks have been held with the respective community leaders in the two factions to surrender the perpetrators involved in the fight.
Schools, offices and businesses in Wewak have been given the clearance to resume next week Tuesday following their closure last week due the fight.
“The authorities have all agreed on the guarantee of the public and assurance have been made to the general public on that.”
The settlers who have been displaced following the fight have been accommodated at the Sir Michael Thomas Somare Stadium at this time.
“The stay is temporary because most of these people have lost all their belongings following the raid by both parties.”
“As for the Mengar villagers, some are being assisted by their neighboring villagers.”
He said unofficial figures given on the number of casualties remain at seven, however police are trying to establish the total number at this time.
“Some bodies were collected in body parts, that is why we are working on establishing the exact figure.”