PNG bishop calls for arrests of warlords to stop gun violence

The Auxiliary Bishop of Wabag, Bishop Justin Soongie, said that arrests were needed to bring an end to the gun violence.

Kopiam District Hospital, run by the Baptist church, was temporarily shut down after a shooting earlier this month. Two people being treated for wounds at the hospital were shot dead in their beds.

PNG Defence Force and Royal PNG Constabulary personnel moved into the area to ensure safety at the hospital.

The district administrator, James Timil, said the hospital was the only facility in the district providing health care services to the people, many of whom had been caught up in the violence.

Mr Timil backed Bishop Soongie’s call for arrests. A strong message would be sent that people will be jailed if they continue fighting. Some of the men of the district are scared of police cells and prison, he said, adding that he did not know why this was the case.

“They can run towards a gun fight, but they will run for their lives if the police come after them,” he said.

Last year, the local Caritas agency negotiated peace between two tribal clans in Kandep in Enga province. Fighting broke out after a man was allegedly killed in an axe attack at a wedding ceremony.

Bishop Soongie said that Caritas took the initiative to negotiate peace.

FULL STORY

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/engan-men-more-scared-of-prison-than-death/ (Papua New Guinea Post Courier)

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/542472/pacific-news-in-brief-for-20-february (Radio New Zealand)

https://www.postcourier.com.pg/caritas-negotiates-peace/ (Papua New Guinea Post Courier)