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The Frida River flows northwards to join the Sepik River.
photo: Facebook – SEPIK Capital, Papua New Guinea – Wewak City Local Government
Lack of manpower and resources hampered police efforts to restore law and order After the Massacre In Papua New Guinea.
According to local media reports, 26 men, women and children were killed in a violent attack on three remote villages in East Sepik Province over a land dispute.
Houses were reportedly burned, more than 200 villagers fled the area and the death toll could rise to 50, according to the United Nations.
Scott Wade, Radio New Zealand’s Pacific correspondent in Papua New Guinea, said the number of local police officers was far too small.
“Police strength in the Angolam area is very limited, with some places having only one or two reserve police officers,” he said.
“So it is very difficult to maintain law and order with just one or two people.”
The National reported Police said the killings and burning of houses took place in Tambari village, 20 km from Angoram town, from July 16.
Alan Bird
photo: Facebook/Alan Bird
East Sepik provincial governor Allan Bird told the ABC that violence in Papua New Guinea was “getting worse” and “lack of justice is a problem”.
The province’s acting police commander, James Baugen, and senior health officials visited the site last weekend.
Bowgen said two locals were found at the scene and were asked to leave immediately. Other villagers had already fled.
Officers also reported finding mutilated bodies, including infants and children, and said a proper burial was unlikely due to the condition of the bodies.
“About 4am last Tuesday, 33 men armed with guns, slingshots, spears, knives and axes broke into Agurumala and killed Caspar Payo, his four-year-old son and another man, Norbert Mangambi,” said Superintendent Bowgen.
“On Thursday (July 18), the same group of refugees went to Tambari village at around 5am when everyone in the village was asleep and some were staying in makeshift shelters.”
Bowgen said eight adults, three men and five women, and 13 children between the ages of 6 and 16 were killed and 30 homes were burned.
Angela Kearney, UNICEF representative in Papua New Guinea, said the attacks were indicative of a disturbing trend in tribal violence targeting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
“What is happening in East Sepik goes to the heart of what we are against – a blatant disregard for life and dignity, especially for the most vulnerable among us.”
The UN resident coordinator in the country, Richard Howard, said the UN was working with the government to provide support to affected communities.
“We look forward to working with the Papua New Guinea government and other partners to ensure survivors receive the necessary support; that such atrocities do not go unpunished; and that underlying issues in affected communities are addressed to prevent such atrocities from happening again in the future.”
Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: Fear and shock Deadly violence.
Turk urged authorities to conduct a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
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