Ousted MP calls for end to deadly tribal fight in Enga

The ousted Kandep MP Don Pomb Polye has urged warring tribesmen to pull back from their deadly fighting in Wabag, Enga Province.

At least 20 people have died in election-related violence since last month in Enga over disputes related to the troubled Kandep Open seat.

The fight escalated when 7 ballot boxes, which contain Polye's base votes of 7000, were disputed on legally unjustifiable grounds, a case which the Court of Disputed Returns can make a ruling on whether or not to order a recount for the seat.

The Provincial Police Commander George Kakas said six people have died since Friday in Enga's capital Wabag after fighting involving two tribes, one of whom is linked with supporters of the ousted MP Don Polye.
Mr Kakas called on Mr Polye to stop his supporters fighting.
Mr Polye said he had made repeated calls for an end to the fighting.
But, he said, it was a cycle of retribution, typical of inter-tribal conflict in PNG which is difficult to contain.

"When lives have been lost on either side, what they would want to do, is they would want to take revenge on that one life, or however many lives lost," Mr Polye said.
"When lives are lost and when they're on the revenge-taking mode, it is very challenging sometimes to even stop.

"The fight continues regardless of the efforts we put in," he said.
Meanwhile, Kii-Kandep alliance and Kal clan agreed to a ceasefire yesterday (Monday) infront of Kakas with his men and peace negotiators. Formal peace negotiation talks will be discussed by leaders on both sides tomorrow (Wednesday 16, August 2017)
Picture: Don Pomb Polye