SYDNEY, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people have been killed over the past two weeks in Papua New Guinea's (PNG) Enga Province, as tribal fighting in the troubled Highland region intensifies.
Plagued by warring factions in the remote mountainous landscape, local Lagaip-Porgera Member of Parliament Tomait Kapili told the National Newspaper on Monday that the violence and killings must stop.
"The fighting has been going on for some time, and has intensified over the past two weeks, resulting in gun battles in and around the Porgera (gold) mine," he said.
"All the fighting must stop immediately and the warring tribesmen must return to their lands," he added. "Porgera is not the place for you to resolve your problems."
"Stop behaving like criminals and destroying peace and safety. I have heard the voices of Porgera communities loud and clear and I fully support their call for an end to this lawlessness and violence," he added.
Echoing these concerns, Enga Province Governor Sir Peter Ipatas said he would raise the urgent matter with the prime minister and his cabinet as soon as possible.
"I am fully supporting his call for urgent intervention to stop this senseless fighting, and to end the criminal conduct of a few people impacting public law and order in Porgera," he said.
"Let me warn everyone that justice will be served on anyone who breaks the law or harms people."
"We do have customs and traditional connection with the Tari people, specifically the Hulis of Hela, but that does not entitle you to come and flex your strength and muscle," the governor added.
"Fix your problem in your own land Hela (Province) has given." Enditem
