Police rescue elderly woman tortured over sorcery accusations in Enga
Joint security forces in Enga Province have rescued an elderly woman who was being brutally tortured after a video of the assault went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage.
The rescue operation, conducted by the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary [RPNGC] and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force [PNGDF] on Tuesday, July 7, took place at the Kulapi basketball court in Porgera.
According to Enga Provincial Police Commander [PPC], Chief Superintendent Steven Harris, two elderly women had been seized and tortured by a mob following accusations of practicing sorcery. One of the women managed to escape her captors before authorities arrived, while the second was rescued by security forces and taken to safety.
The suspects fled the scene as security personnel arrived, and no arrests have been made yet.
In a media statement, Chief Superintendent Harris condemned the attackers and warned them that their identities are already known to law enforcement.
"This was a brutal, cowardly attack on two elderly women, and RPNGC has zero tolerance for it," Harris said. "The men responsible ran the moment they saw security forces. They were brave enough to torture defenseless elderly women, but the moment RPNGC and PNGDF arrived, they ran like cowards."
Harris emphasized that security forces had no intention of negotiating or facilitating traditional compensation [belkol].
"Your images are clear and your identities are known," Harris warned the suspects. "Hand yourselves in now, at any police station, and do it like a man, not by hiding and running because we will still find you."
Sorcery-accusation-related violence [SARV] and gender-based violence [GBV] remain critical human rights issues in parts of Papua New Guinea. Harris reaffirmed that provincial police are taking a hardline stance against these crimes.
"Let this be clear across Enga: RPNGC will not tolerate sorcery-accusation-related violence or gender-based violence, in any form, from anyone," he said. "Every person in this Province, rich or poor, young, old, man or woman, is entitled to and will receive the full protection of the law."
The Porgera Police Station Commander is currently leading the ongoing investigation.
Police are appealing to the public for any information regarding the whereabouts of the suspects, as well as the location of the first victim who escaped, to ensure her safety and medical care. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Porgera Police Station or their nearest police post immediately.