Tragic series of payback attacks along Laiagam-Sirunki Highway in Enga Province claims ten lives

A series of violent incidents along the Laiagam-Sirunki Highway in the Enga Province has tragically claimed the lives of ten individuals, says acting Assistant Commissioner (ACP) of Police Chief Supt Joseph Tondop.

He said these attacks, which occurred on Friday, October 18, and Monday, October 22, are believed to be payback cases connected to an unresolved death that took place in March earlier this year.

He stated that this sort of revenge killing is unheard of in the history of tribal conflicts is Enga Province where innocent people unrelated to the conflicts were killed.

However, starting today, Supt Tondop says he will be instructing his Investigation Task Force [ITF] and Criminal Investigation Departments [CIDs] to begin investigating the root cause of the recent conflict that led to 10 fatalities and numerous injuries.

Supt who is also the Controller for the SOE Porgera operations says that all tribal clans taking part in the conflicts [Sakars, Mulapian, Kunalins, Myom, and People from Kulapi 4 in Porgera] are all under the scope and ordered to refrain from further escalating the situation.

He said the investigative teams will start their work immediately, and individuals or groups found to be involved will be apprehended.

He further elaborates that this task force is given stringent orders to carry out a thorough investigation, leaving no stone unturned.

ACP Western End appeals to relatives of deceased in Enga not to retaliate

Meantime, Chief Supt Tondop is appealing to the immediate relatives and community members of those deceased to refrain from further escalating the situation and to the public to provide information regarding the killings so that police could fast-track investigations.

He assured the immediate relatives that he would document each case by case and complete the files in the next 14 days.

Supt Tondop says he needs their support to work with him to identify possible suspects. They have no place to hide.

He stated that he would use all his powers as Controller SOE Porgera Operations to take swift action and arrest suspects.

He also appealed to the relatives not to disturb his work with unnecessary roadblocks; they must stay away from the public road and follow emergency orders.