Former Tewai-Siassi MP Mao Zeming has called for peace following tribal clashes in the district.
Zeming made the call after tribal fights in two different parts of Tewai-Siassi, Morobe Province, resulted in four deaths.
The clashes had made community leaders worried about the ability of the district administration to bring the law and order situation under control.
One fight is raging in Sialum, involving villagers in Upper Ziwe, while the other is on Siassi Island, involving Gasam and Gom villagers.
At least four people have been killed within a week, with many more seriously injured and houses and properties destroyed in both areas.
The fight at Upper Ziwe was brought under control when peace was negotiated between the warring groups in May this year.
But the fighting flared again a few weeks after the elections, believed to be instigated by prison escapees who are hiding in the area and causing havoc.
Speaking on behalf of community leaders, Zeming called on Tewai-Siassi MP Kobby Bomareo to do something about the escalating law and order situation in the district.
He criticised the holding of a peace meeting at Ago village, where K50,000 was reportedly handed out for a peace and reconciliation process.
“Ago village is the wrong place for a peace ceremony. It is far away from the fighting area. The best place to bring the warring groups together is Kanome Government Station,” Zeming said.
He stated that the peace meeting at Ago village would solve nothing, and the K50,000 paid out was a waste of public funds.