Kimbe Town in PNG Declared Fighting Zone Amid Rising Law-and-Order Concerns

KIMBE town in West New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea has been declared a fighting zone following a rise in law-and-order problems, particularly clashes between groups in the provincial capital and nearby communities.

The West New Britain Provincial Peace and Good Order Committee made the decision during a meeting on Monday, extending the declaration to the Kimbe Urban Local Level Government (LLG) and Wards One and Two of the Talasea LLG.

Kimbe Mayor and committee chairman Nick Tupi said the move was necessary to address the growing number of confrontations and protect residents going about their daily activities.

“Currently we have a surge in law-and-order issues, specifically inter-group fights in certain sections of the township as well as in the Talasea LLG and our priority now is to ensure the safety of law abiding and tax-paying citizens,” he said.

Meanwhile, West New Britain Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Steven Harris has directed police officers to begin enforcing the Inter-Group Fighting Act.

The legislation provides for arrests of individuals involved in group fighting, those preparing to engage in violence and people who incite such confrontations.

Those arrested and convicted through the courts for fighting face prison sentences ranging from two to four years.