Manus reports arson incidents

Police in Manus have arrested 38 people including 5 females and 9 Juveniles.

The 38 suspects were charged with Arson, Damaging Properties and Stealing.

They appeared in Lorengau District court before Senior Magistrate Francis Kalai on Monday May 14.

Their case has been adjourned to May 30 for mention. All were remanded in custody at CS Lorengau.

Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector David Yapu said the incident occurred at two different locations at Lopahan village, Bupichupen Lele Madih LLG and Liap Village in the PNKA LLG on Sunday May 6.

In the first incident, 4 suspects went to Lopahan village and set fire to a permanent house belonging to the victim Benson Lian and completely burnt it down to ashes.

The suspects also caused damages to the victims’ cash crops and other properties in the village before running away to their village at Liap.

In retaliation, people in Lopahan mobilised and retaliated; burning two houses as well as slaughtering pigs and stealing properties in Liap.

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Meredith Kuusa