UPDATE ON KILLINGS IN TARI

By Bryan Kramer - Kramer Report

Yesterday, I returned from Tari Electorate, Hela Province following a one day trip to assess the situation, following the horrific killing of 23 women (2 of whom were pregnant) and 9 children in the worst pay back killing in our country's history.

In my capacity as Minister for Police, I represented Marape Steven government, to be on the ground, to firstly pay respect to those killed and secondly prepare and provide a brief to the Prime Minister, on circumstances behind the incident - what, who, when, how and why.

Tribal fights are not new in PNG and in recent years they have become more prevalent in the highlands region, one may argue they have been going on since the beginning of time.

However since that time the rules of engagement have always been that the elderly, women and children have been off limits.

So killing of innocent women and children in tribal conflicts are unheard of, so last week's merciless killings has changed everything where the immediate concern is that it will become the new trend.

I guess the question everyone is asking, is why did it happen, will it happen again and more importantly what is being done to prevent it from ever happening again?

First issue why it happened.

What people would not be aware of is that there were three separate killings in Tagali Local Level Government last week resulting in total of 29 people and children being murdered. These killing are related to a tribal conflict that has been on going for almost two decades (close to 20 years).

The conflict has been between two tribes, one headed by a man called Oi Kiru, who comes from Pajaka 2 village, and the opposing tribe, led by Libe Koi and his second in charge Ha'gu'ai, who comes from Yaganda village.

In June 2019, a key tribesman of Libe was killed, his name was Eganada, who lived in Munima village. Usually, when tribes go to war they will solicit the support of surrounding villages they are married into or provide protection to.

In this case, a key ally to Libe was Eaganda from Munima village, who is named after Libe's village. In June he was killed by his own cousin A'gun'ai (a known drug body) over an on-going dispute. It is alleged A'gun'ai killed Eganada and in fear of his life fled to Oi Kiru's village. As the saying goes the enemy of your enemy is your friend.

However, while in the protection of Oi' Kiru’s tribesman, we were told, A'gun'ai with a number of his own tribesman killed 6 of Oi Kiru's clansman including his mother.

They then returned to their village and threatened a nearby village, called Karita, into which A’gun’ai is married, insisting that Karita village pay them protection money or face a similar attack.

Last Sunday, Munima and Karita village got together to stage a peace ceremony offering ten pigs and K4,000 kina to A’gun’ai and his clansmen.

Unbeknownst to them Oi Kiru learning of his mother’s death raided a village near Munima called Peta, killing 3 women and 3 children - they were all shot to death using high powered rifles; pay back killing over the killing of Oi Kiru's mother, the first killing of an elderly mother.

Following the killing at Peta village, tribesman (youths) on Monday morning around 6am attacked Karita Village killing some 9 women and 7 children (two women were pregnant). They were killed after being attacked by a group of young men with machetes (bush knifes).

Why were women and children were attacked Karita village?

Well unable to pay back those responsible for killing in Peta, A’gun’ai being married into Karita Village and from time to time is known to seek refuge there, hence the attack on Karita.

So it appears the killing of women and children stemmed from killing of Oi Kiru's mother by those under the influence of drugs (marijuana). What followed was payback killing of 3 women and 3 children at Peta Village that triggered payback killing of 9 women and 7 children at Karita village.

On Tuesday, Members of Mobile squad as well as Defence Force were deployed to the area. Following the Governor of Hela Philip Undialu and my recent visit, the killings have stopped for now; reports indicate those involved have fled the province.

The Governor and I visited both Munima and Karita Village to get a first hand account of what happened and provide an assurance that the Marape Steven Government will hold those responsible accountable. I had intended to stay overnight at Karita Village, since that was the last village to have suffered such a major loss, however I was advised against it, as Munima Village would expect the same.

Despite my disappointment in not spending enough time in the villages, the fact that the Governor and I were on the ground, prompted the community leaders from Munima and Karita Village not continue to retaliate.

So what happens now?

Following consultation with Provincial Governor, Provincial Administrator and the Provincial Police Commander, including the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, David Manning, a platoon from the Defence Force and Police Mobile Squad will be stationed at Munima Primary School to provide around the clock security, to prevent any further escalation of violence.

High-level discussions on a strategic deployment action plan with the use of drone technology and satellite surveillance, will be used to track and apprehend those on the run. An intelligence unit will also be established to gather information from the community.

While a number of plans are being put into action to ensure peace prevails, to prevent such a devastating act of violence in our communities, it is important that for the long term that we find a different way of resolving conflict that rejects revenge but encourages resolution through dialogue.

I intend to return to the Province in a week's time to get an up-date.

picture taken at Karita village during our visit to the grave site of women and children.

Focus on PNG culture as writers’ petition moves to final stage

By KEITH JACKSON - PNG Attitude

PORT MORESBY - Two prominent Papua New Guineans have called for a cultural revival in Papua New Guinea at the same time as PNG’s writers put the finishing touches on a petition for prime minister James Marape.

“Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage defines who we are,” said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Emil Tammur launching the National Cultural Commission’s corporate plan.

“Without culture and tradition we have no identity, no soul.

“If you look at some of the more successful economies of the world – Japan or China or Korea – behind the economic success story there lies a social and cultural background that is the heart and soul of that nation,” he said.

“Culture is what makes them different, what makes them proud and what gives them an identity.”

Similar words have been used by the authors of the literary manifesto that PNG writers intend to present to Mr Marape soon.

“A nation without a story is like a nation without a soul,” the manifesto says. “Without a home-grown literature the story of our great nation cannot be told.”

Well over 300 people have signed the petition which says, “We, the writers, and supporters of writers, of Papua New Guinea, believe our nation’s literature is something that needs to be encouraged and supported by everyone, but especially by the government.

“If our story is not told, future generations of Papua New Guineans will not be fully aware of where they come from, who they are and what made them.”

Mr Tammur said, “If you look at some of the more successful economies of the world – Japan or China or Korea – behind the economic success story there lies a social and cultural background that is ancient.

“That is the heart and soul of that nation. Culture is what makes them different, what makes them proud and what gives them an identity.

“When the oil and gas and minerals dry up, it is our cultures that can sustain us.”

“Our mandate is to keep the heart of this country beating,” said National Cultural Commission boss Steven Kilanda.

“Neglect across the years has brought many of our agencies and the cultural commission close to a massive heart attack.”

Both men called for concerted efforts across all sectors of government to bring back respect for Papua New Guinean ways.

The group organising PNG’s petition that wants greater support for a sustainable home-grown literature are now seeking a meeting with the prime minister.

Go to this link for more: https://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2019/07/focus-on-png-culture-as-writers-petition-moves-to-final-stage.html

Australia should help end tribal violence in PNG

MITCHELL THOMAS | Organisation for World Peace | Edited

HOUSTON, USA - The remote highlands regions of Papua New Guinea has recently been the subject of international attention in the wake of a brutal massacre.

The remote village of Karida saw an outbreak of tribal violence last week as part of ongoing conflicts in some of the country’s most remote provinces.

While tribal conflict and warfare have historically been an issue for PNG, the rate and escalation of violence has increased in recent years.

This is due in a large part to the provision of high-powered weapons that has led to a marked change in the way conflict has unfolded.

In traditional fighting, there would usually be few deaths. But this new supercharged violence kills many more, including civilians and children. This has also a limiting effects on the provision of aid and medical relief, as it is harder to access remote areas without placing international aid workers in danger.

PNG prime minister James Marape, in whose electorate the events took place, has called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

As recently as 2013, PNG reinstated the death penalty and since then 16 people have been placed on death row but no sentences have been carried out. The international community widely condemns the use of the death penalty.

With modern armaments escalating conflicts, the PNG government needs to review its approach to ensuring violence like this is brought to an end.

Marape has voiced concerns that the country’s police force and security apparatus are in need of reinforcement and must be adequately funded and resourced to handle events like these.

The country hosted the 2018 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit that provided an opportunity for PNG to put its case to the international community but it was characterised by great power games between the USA and China. Since then, the violence has gotten worse.

The international community, in particular Australia, should look to assist the new prime minister in his attempt to alleviate tribal violence, preferably without imposing the death penalty.

Australian aid remains constant and at a high level and Australia should help the PNG government in this area in its role as a respected middle power.

An initial measure may be to deploy peacekeeping forces, federal police and aid workers from Australia in a similar way Australia was involved in East Timor and the Solomon Islands in the early 2000s.

Go to this link for more: https://asopa.typepad.com/asopa_people/2019/07/australia-should-help-end-tribal-violence-in-png.html