The Member for Madang Nixon Philip Duban has expressed frustration and strongly condemned the actions of the two ethnic groups that have disturbed the peace in Madang.
“I will not let such ethnic clashes continue to supress the peace of my people of Madang,” said Duban, who is also the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure.
“Enough is enough and I have warned the settlers already.”
He said it is now time to make a tougher decision in getting rid of settlers illegally living on state land and causing problems for the general public.
“Such action is depriving the rights of my people and degrading possibilities of investments in the province,” he said.
Duban again appealed to the people of Madang to stop selling land, as it will continue to bring more problems to themselves.
While condemning the ethnic clash, he also appealed to the public for unity and thanked those who put in their effort in containing the clash from further escalating.
The MP thanked Madang PPC Superintendent Jacob Singura and his men for working tirelessly in controlling the situation though they had limited manpower.
Duban also sent a word of thank you to the Deputy Police Commissioner, Jim Andrews, and Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Junior for responding quickly in deploying Mobile Squad Units from Lae to help police in Madang.
In an urgent emergency law and order committee meeting last Saturday afternoon, PPC Singura confirmed that the clash between the Sepiks and the Western Highlanders transpired from the smashing of PMV buses’ windows along RD Tuna road. This caused a chain of reaction into town where both ethnic groups took to the street by blocking off the main roads at Jomba and the airport roundabout.
In the meeting that he chaired, two resolutions were made:
Full scale police operation that has commenced on Sunday afternoon and would continue until further advice. Reinforcement from Lae has been called in to support.
During the period of operation, there will be eviction for settlements on state land.
He said the clash last Saturday has caused fears in ordinary people and there was evidence of people with weapons. This is unacceptable so there will be heavy police presence and those found in possession of weapons will be dealt with heavily.