PNG Police criminal Investigation Team heads to Kiriwina Island following killing of 24 people
A Papua New Guinea Police Criminal Investigation team has been deployed to Kiriwina in Milne Bay Province to investigate and prepare for a coronial inquest into the fight on October 24 which has since resulted in the deaths of 24 people.
Milne Bay Provincial Police Commander Superintendent Peter Barkie said 22 people were killed initially in a three-hour fight that broke out after an argument between the coastal and inland villages over a soccer match.
Two recently succumbed to the wounds they received during the fight thereby increasing the death toll to 24.
In a statement today, Mr. Barkie said the police CID investigation team was deployed after the Quick Reaction Force completed its assessment of the situation on the ground on Kiriwina Island.
He said he wants the coroner to be involved because of the large number of deaths.
“I have spoken to the senior Provincial Magistrate about that. My team is up in Kiriwina doing that now. Hopefully they will get all the necessary paperwork done within 14 days,” Mr. Barkie said.
He said people from affected villages in Kiriwina are cooperating well.
Mr. Barkie said the villages did not destroy any government, private properties or business houses when they fought, and the fight did not involve the entire Kiriwina Island.
He said the villages affected were from the southern part of Kiriwina Island and around Losuia station.
The Central and Northern part of Kiriwina were not involved.
Mr. Barkie said that normalcy has been restored with all all shops open, government businesses functioning as normal and people carrying on with their usual daily lives.
NBC News/ PNG Today
Pics courtesy of Police Media
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