A FIGHT allegedly over ownership of land where the PNG Liquefied Natural Gas facility is proposed to be built outside Port Moresby has left four people dead and two critically injured.
Police said late last night that the fight was between Boera and Porebada villagers, The National reports.
A row has been brewing for some time over ownership of the land, and which landowner company legitimately represents the interest of landowners and villagers associated with the block of land known as Portion 152 given away for the development of the PNG LNG Project.
NCD police operations commander, Supt Andy Bawa, said last night that four people were killed and two others were critically injured and rushed to hospital.
He said the fight appears to be over ownership of land, and started around 2pm yesterday when Porebada villagers launched an attack on Boera village.
Supt Bawa said Boera villagers retaliated, killing four people and burning down three houses.
"Two other people are critically injured and are in hospital. Their condition is very serious. A police mobile unit has been sent to the area. The situation there is very tense and volatile. I'm dispatching a support unit again to the area tonight (last night)," Supt Bawa said.
"The killings occurred today (yesterday). The fight started around 2 o'clock," he said.
Developers of the PNG LNG Project plan to build an LNG liquefaction plant, storage and loading facilities at Portion 152. The ownership of this land, and its lease to the State, to be made available for the project, is a subject of dispute between clans from the area.
The plant, storage and loading facilities will cost US$7 billion to build and the contract was recently awarded to Japanese company Chiyoda.
Boera clan leader Raho Kevau, when contacted yesterday, said he was stranded in Port Moresby and was not able to contact people in the village about the situation.
"Something has gone wrong and this has happened. I don't know what it is and what was the cause. Whether it is land or some youths getting drunk and throwing stones, but I will get more details tomorrow (today)," Mr Kevau said
Such a sad day. Reminds me an old song called "One Tin Soldier", when what could have been shared by so many, and provide benefit for so many, was instead the source of a useless, bloody battle. Here's hoping for better days to come.
ReplyDeleteThis is never the motuan way, this is said and where is the former member of parliament, how can he let his Boera people retaliate like savages from the highlands... this is a sad state of affairs... no consultation process, instead, deal with it the highlands way, confrontation, hemarailas... Where is Moi Avei in the disputed portion 152, can't he mediate for both sides of the demarcartion zone?? He should Lead the people to share squally, there is plenty for everyone... don't disgrace the motuaans, as peace fun loving people.... kamonai??!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBernard, you are spot on, I know the Motuans of Boera well, and they are wonderful and kind neighbours, but I noticed last year that the young men of the Village were no longer playing Rugby League, because the League organisers were all concentrating on the all encompassing LNG project. Moi Avei is building a house on top of the Hill to watch down on all his Boera people, I'm sure he will even be able to see Portion 152 from there.
ReplyDeleteMoi Avei, it is time to regain the trust of your people, you were voted out during the last election as the Hiritano people saw you as a lazy man. Time for some action. Stand up and be counted!
How can you blame one man for the action of many? Maybe when you get the story right, then you could make an educated comment. Very true that Motuans are fun loving people, but people will retaliate if their properties are damaged and their very own lives are being threatened. If Porebada youths hadn't burnt down 3 houses and attacked Boera village, none of this would have happened. Even the elders of Porebada tried to talk the youth out of attacking, but they were rounded up by their village councillor to launch the attack which lead to the fatal situation. Very sad for the families with the lost sons, but hopefully they can work something out because this is not the attitude of Boera village at all.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all comments here.
ReplyDeleteYes this is not the Motu way. The people must sit down and resolve this in a peaceful motuan custom way. From the reports now coming in from my relatives down there, yesterday's killing took place in the presence of the Knight and former MP's presence. This needs to be properly confirmed.
As a community leader, the former MP must now get both village elders and community leaders to work collectively in quickly resolving this issue, as it will affect the LNG plant project coming through their area.
I agree with Steve about sport being a great uniter of a conflict situation.It is time porebada and boera villages form a combined rugby leagur club/team to play in the PRL as a gesture of peace and friendship from here on.