Police in Wewak, East Sepik, have confirmed that four people were killed as a result of a fight between the people of Mengar and youth from Basis and Dumb in Wewak District.
East Sepik Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Albert Beli, said three of those killed are from the Basis and Dumb area, while one is from Mengar.
PPC Beli said that Mengar’s youth had organized a volleyball game on Sunday, 5th June, which youth from Dumb and Basis took part in. Police established that during the match, youths alleged to be from Dumb and the Basis, shot a member of the organizing committee in the chest with an object, using a wire catapult. Police were told that the man was taken to hospital, however he subsequently passed away as a result of his injuries. Police received a report of the incident and went to the scene of the incident to prevent any further attacks.
“We warned them not to do anything and when we left, it seems they organized themselves and in the early hours at 3am this morning they moved over to Basis and shot dead three youth. Because it was early hours in the morning and not readily accessible, police units could not respond quickly. The suspects escaped after they carried out the attack” the PPC said.
However, police have since arrested four people from Mengar, who are in their custody. Five other suspects alleged to have caused the death of the volleyball match committee member, have been identified. Police are pursuing them to make arrests.
Meantime, PPC Beli said members of the public, including students who travel through the conflicting villages to get to Wewak town, were prevented from doing so this morning.
He added that the situation is still tense as police patrol the area to make sure the innocent are not affected.