Gabagaba-Ginigolo clash 2016

The conflict between Gabagaba and neighbouring village Ginigolo, which followed a September 7 rampage by Gabagaba youths, has escalated.

A few weeks ago, a 15-seater travelling from Four-Mile to Gabagaba was shot at by armed youths, allegedly from the nearby village.

Naga Gamoga said he was in the bus with his daughter when the incident happened.

“There were no warriors in that bus. Most of them were women and students returning to the village,” he said.

“I saw them coming out of the bushes and I told the driver to just run them over.”

The event is supposed to ease tension between the two villages after a land dispute clash last month, where two men were hospitalised.

Acting PPC Andrew Tovere told Loop PNG that the proposed venue for this morning’s reconciliation, Jack Pidik Park, is too costly. This is one of the reasons why the reconciliation has been delayed.

“It must be held within a place where the concerned villagers can access it. It is very costly for them (villagers) to come into the city.

Acting Central provincial police commander (PPC), Andrew Tovere, told Loop PNG that the villagers have reached a compromise.

“The leaders of both sides have set a peace reconciliation date,” Tovere said.

“On the 26^th of this month, both conflicting parties will meet at Jack Pidik Park for their reconciliation.”

On September 7, locals from Gabagaba went on a rampage, burning a couple of Ginigolo bush material houses and chasing their occupants.