Infant burnt in sorcery-related arson attack in Simbu

A two-year-old girl was burnt to death, and six houses were razed to the ground during a brutal arson attack at Enge Village, on the border of Kundiawa-Gembogl and Kerowagi districts, late Sunday night.

According to police, the attack which occurred around 10pm on October 26 was allegedly carried out by a group of men in retaliation for the death of a woman believed to have died from suspected sorcery.

Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang confirmed that the main suspect, Mangi Wagi, allegedly led the attack along with his relatives Tuman Wagi, Siune Wagi, Tom Wagi, Willie Wagi, Tony, and Peter Wagi.

The group accused the victims of practicing witchcraft [sanguma] and causing the death of Mangi Wagi’s wife.

During the violent rampage, six semi-permanent houses belonging to villagers Silla Degemba [deceased mother], Kuwandi Peter [deceased father], Kimin Alnot, and Siune Wapna were set ablaze. In the chaos, a two-year-old infant, Anna Kuwandi, was trapped inside one of the burning homes and perished in the fire.

Simbu Police Crime Investigation Division [CID] officers, supported by members of the provincial task force, attended the scene and confirmed the tragic death.

They closed off the area, took photographs, and recorded witness statements.

Superintendent Rubiang condemned the attack, describing it as a shocking and senseless act of violence, and warned villagers against taking the law into their own hands.

He urged the suspects to surrender immediately and cautioned the community against further retaliation.

“No one has the right to take another person’s life or destroy property in the name of sorcery,” Rubiang said. “Let police and the law deal with the matter.”

Police have started a full investigation into the incident.