Fighting

Fighting resumed last year over land issues, claiming two lives, injuring countless others and destroying many more homes and gardens.

In a first-of-its-kind move, the Huon Gulf district administration brought over 15 representatives to Lae. The reps, handpicked by the community in the Morobe Rural LLG, had a meeting with the administration today to find a way to resolve the decades of land conflicts that have claimed lives and properties.

The aggrieved said they built the houses from their own money. It was devastating to see it razed to the ground for no reason.

Three other houses belong to Albinama villagers.

The victims’s houses were burnt following a fight over the death of a 58-year-old PMV driver from Waikakum Village.

Community Health Worker Wilson Mala, said the community invested personal time and resources to build both the health centre and the school, and feel the pain of losing these properties to the hands of opportunists.

Vosivai said the situation has calmed down but it is unpredictable because anything can happen. He has called on residents to be vigilant.

He said so far there are reports of two houses being burnt and the looting of others. But reports relating to casualties is yet to be released.

Vosivai said business houses have begun operations while the main market remains close.

Madang Provincial Police Commander Acting Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang said police were present to contain the situation by cautioning drunkards sending them home. 

"The cause of these were all cheap alcohol related. I had been stressing more on the sale and consumption of these cheap alcohol that people who own liquor shops in the province are selling. I want the authorities to address the issue of cheap sales of liquor,” Rubiang said.