Hela Gimbu Association

Hela gives ultimatum to SHP leaders

The incident occurred along the Imbonggu road in Southern Highlands.

The Hela leaders gathered today in Port Moresby and shared their grievances, saying the military style ambush and killing of police officers, and wounding of another officer along with two teachers, was a terrifying action.

The leaders said such an action requires a full scale operation to bring the killers to face the full force of the law.

Hela Gimbu Association chairman Damien Arabagali condemned such an act, describing it as barbaric and preplanned murder.

Hela Gimbu thanks Somare

HGB chairman Damien Arabagali thanked the country’s first prime minister and wished him good health in his retirement from politics.      

Arabagali in a media conference this morning also paid tribute to Lady Veronica and the people of East Sepik for supporting Sir Michael in his 49 years in politics.  

He said the National Alliance Party headed by Sir Michael who was then prime minister kept the parties commitment gaining new provinces for Hela and Jiwaka.

Ownership of illegal firearms increase gun-violence in Hela

He said this has illustrated the dangers in the build-up of weapons in resource rich, Hela Province.

The province houses the multi-billion Kina LNG Project operated by Exxon Mobil.

Babe said the ownership of illegal firearms have increased gun violence which resulted in the National Government funding a K11 million security operations to curb the guns build-up.  

He said it is common knowledge that guns had replaced bows and arrows, and the security personnel must work with the local police, churches, and locals to confiscate the unlicensed firearms.    

More awareness on guns needed in Hela

HGA deputy chairman, Habia Babe said a massive awareness covering all of Hela Province about the effects of protecting the guns culture will help encourage people to surrender their illegal guns to authorities.

He added that 95 per cent of people in the province are peace loving people and only a minority are creating the law and order problems.

Hela landowners apologise to Marus following attack

Marus was part of convey of delegates that was attacked along the Komo road while traveling from Tari to Komo on November 21.

The convoy of vehicles was on the way to Kopalu and on to Nogoli after crossing the Timalia River when the incident happened.

Logs were pulled across the front and rear of the convoy and men armed with guns fired at the convoy.

When shots were fired, the convoy turned around and drove back to Tari however during the open fire, a leader from Tari was killed and a policeman received gun wounds.