One dead in retaliation attack in Port Moresby

One man from the Gulf province is dead following a retaliation attack by Southern Highlanders at the Mahuru village in Port Moresby this morning.

According Mr. Raga Tulavi who resides at the Gulf compound in the village, the fight started yesterday evening between drunken Koitabu youths and Southern Highlanders that reside at a settlement next to the village.
During the clash, a young man from Southern Highlands was hit on the head; he was rushed to the hospital, but later died from the injury he sustained.
The relatives of the dead young man launched a retaliation attack at around 5am in the morning, but instead attacked the Gulf community resulting in two homes burnt down and one person dead.
“Some innocent people from Gulf lost properties and some are still at the hospital with injuries,” said Mr. Tulavi.
“The fight was between the Southern Highlanders and the Koitabu Villagers and not with us, but the innocent Gulf people were the ones that were attacked.”
It is understood that mediation will take place to calm the situation and get down to the bottom of the incident. For the time being police will continue to maintain their presence at the village to prevent any further clashes that could happen.
Meanwhile, NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Mr. Ben Turi also confirmed the incident this morning.
Photo:  some of the villagers and people from the Gulf province with Mr. Tulavi (in white T- shirt) at the Mahuru village this morning. PNGFM