Hela Province has reportedly been quiet over the New Year.
Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Michael Welly, said: “Hela had a peaceful new year celebration, apart from a few drunkards seen on the road.”
The province is also waiting for the arrival of the deployed troops, as was announced by the government recently.
Welly understands that funds may have caused the delay, but he believes that they will come to his aid.
"We have already a mobile unit (MS 11) that was deployed and (is) assisting us doing normal policing,” Welly stated.
“They have so far helped us with some arrests.”
The Hela police chief said they had arrested and charged 17 suspects involved in an armed robbery and rape at Ambua last Thursday evening.
They also confiscated some ammunition and 10 homemade guns and two factory-made rifles.
The Government announced last month that the PNG Defence Force will be deployed to Hela, where dozens of people have allegedly died in tribal conflict.
(Hela provincial police commander, Superintendent Michael Welly)