Tari

“Basically what has happened is that there has been an absence of serious law enforcement,” said PPC Tondop.

The absence of law enforcement is felt in places like the National Court and Correctional Service facilities, not being able to hold what Tondop described as “hardcore” criminals.”

PPC Tondop said there is a lack of consistency in law and enforcement, with most court cases having to be held in Mendi and Mt. Hagen.

The decision to suspend flights was made following recent law and order issues in the area.

There have been recent reports of a major clash between police and locals following the killing of a police officer this week.

The airline said passengers who have been ticketed to travel are to change their travel to the next available flight without penalties.

Link PNG normally operates three weekly flights to Tari every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

The news of the massacre on Monday morning went viral on social media, which the Prime Minister descried as the saddest day of his life, that many children and mothers were innocently murdered in Munima and Karida villages in his electorate in Tari.

Twenty-three bodies were chopped into pieces and were later collected by health workers in Karida village, Tari, and put in mosquito nets following a revenge attack by gunmen from Haguai, Liwi and Okiru.

In a media statement, Air Niugini stated that these flights are planned to continue until the runway is closed, to allow for the National Airports Corporation’s Civil Aviation Development Investment Program, to complete works associated with the runway upgrade.

Tari airport was closed to Link PNG operations late in 2018 due to obstacles such as trees on the take-off area.

Link PNG acknowledged the Hela Provincial Government for its efforts in addressing these issues, which have allowed Link PNG to recommence services.

Two buildings containing eight classrooms and a teacher’s house were set on fire.

Undialu told this newsroom that at about 7am yesterday (Nov 5^th), tribes from Tagali and Linavi LLG got together and attacked the Hela Technical High School at Paipali village.

He said the attack took the people by surprise as two warring clans from the area had signed a peace agreement on Sunday, preventing them from getting involved in tribal fights.

The signing was witnessed by police personnel and peace mediators at the Tari Police Station.  

Undialu said the Tari airport has made a lot of money for NAC during the PNG LNG Project construction and should not be punished for an incident that they are not responsible for, with respect to the Mendi incident.

Governor Undialu in a statement said for almost three months since the closure of Tari airport, the people of Hela have suffered and have risked their safety by travelling on the highway to Mt Hagen, just to get on a plane.

Hela Provincial Administrator William Bando made the announcement last night when bringing the body of the late judge to his village.

Apart from that, the Hela Provincial Government will also pay for the school fees of the first child from elementary all the way to university.

Bando explained that however, now that the first child has already completed his studies, the commitment will be transferred to the judge’s second child.

Bando described the late judge as a warrior in his own right.

The Family and Sexual Violence Action Committee (FSVAC), a sectoral committee of the Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council (CIMC), is appealing to community leaders, tribal leaders and individuals, including men, to put an end to the fighting and pursue conflict resolution so that much needed humanitarian support and government assistance can continue into the province.

They  were  caught  by MS  11  from  Wabag at around  4.00pm along the Nanonda  Highway.

The MS 11 had been task to conduct police  road blocks  along the highway when they incepted the two suspects.

Assistant Commissioner for Police- Western Command, Martin Lakari said the  suspects  were apprehended have  all  been  detained  at Tari  police  cell  and  refused  bail.

They were formally charged on Wednesday for the alleged offence.

The unlicensed pistol is a Magnum, with Serial number: 1911A2 and is believed to be a US Army issued.

John Tipa is one of the many victims of the earthquake that struck the Highlands region at 3.44am on Monday (Feb 26).

“I lost everything that’s why I’m very upset with the provincial government employees here, from the deputies to the directors,” Tipa said.

“They have vehicles, they have been resourced; they have to be here on the ground to assist all the victims throughout the province.

“Where are all the public servants?”