Three killed after compensation ceremony turns violent

A PNGDF soldier from a group of security forces on the ground is assisting an injured villager. (Image: Supplied)

Three people are dead following a disagreement during a compensation ceremony in Lagaip District, Enga Province, over the weekend.

Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Steve Harris, in a statement released today, said the killings happened during a BEL KOL [peace payment] ceremony in Laigam and was fueled by intoxicated men interfering with the exchange.

“On Saturday evening during a BEL KOL ceremony in Laigam, a dispute broke out between two clans when intoxicated individuals interfered with the exchange.

This made the receiving party withdraw from the area as they refused to accept what was given. As they were leaving, they were shot at killing 2 men on the spot,” Harris says.

Police say a young boy, who was not part of the two clans involved in the conflict, was later killed in a retaliatory attack while he was with his mother.

The boy was from another district and was attending school in the area.

Meanwhile, the PPC has called for calm and urged those involved to surrender to police or face arrest.

Security personnel are on the ground setting up checkpoints, conducting patrols and monitoring tribal boundaries to contain the situation.