PNG LLG Elections : Deadly Clash in Hube LLG Leaves Two Dead, Homes Torched
Two men are dead and nine others have been admitted to the Pindiu Health Centre after election-related fighting broke out in Pindiu, Hube LLG of Finschhafen. Morobe Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Samson Siguyaru confirmed that more than 20 houses were also destroyed in the violence.
Superintendent Siguyaru said the incident ignited on Tuesday and escalated over several days, leaving permanent and semi-permanent homes burnt and several vehicles torched. He said the level of destruction was alarming for an LLG election dispute.
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| Burnt vehicle in Hube LLG, Morobe Province [Photo supplied] |
Police teams from Lae were flown into the area to stabilise the situation. The PPC said the confrontation was triggered by rival groups supporting two councilors contesting the LLG presidency.
“One group is led by Ward 2 Councilor Kiwas Naios, supported by wards 2, 1, 4, 11 and 14,” he said. “The other group is headed by Yaling Zeros of Ward 17, with followers from wards 5, 10, 15, 16 and 17.”
He said officers discovered high-powered firearms, including AR-15 rifles and a magnum sidearm, along with homemade guns and bush knives. Police also received reports that hired gunmen from Lae were brought in to intensify the conflict.
Superintendent Siguyaru appealed for logistics support to deal with suspects and the injured. “We need two vehicles to move suspects to Gagidu and immediate air evacuation for the nine injured victims,” he said.
He said the area has been stabilised for now, adding: “We thank the Finschhafen District for helping police reach the trouble spot.”
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