Finance Minister and Tari Pori MP, James Marape, is calling on the people of Hela to surrender their firearms to police for the good of the province.
Marape made this call today after visiting his people recently.
Whilst in the province, Mr Marape met with elders from Huli and Duna in Pori and discussed ways of dealing with tribal issues back home.
“I have made it absolutely clear that murderers must surrender guns ( home-made or factory made) and present themselves to Police, only then will I, as the chairman of my council of Huli Elders hand down our compensation decisions.
“We have handed into Police, names of more than 20 murder suspects and my elders are in continual liaison with respective community elders to hand over suspects.”
Meantime, Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Martin Lakari has also called on the people of Hela to surrender their weapons for the good of the people of Hela.
He added that Hela, being a new province, people must forgo their indifferences among themselves and work together for the betterment of future generation of Hela.
PPC Lakari said the situation is still tense but police and PNGDF soldiers are monitoring the situation closely.