Thousands turn up to receive Paul Pora

By JAMES APA GUMUNO

THOUSANDS of people turned up at the Kagamuga Airport in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, to receive the casket containing the remains of former politician and businessman Paul Pora yesterday, The National reports.

The late Pora’s casket arrived on a chartered new Dash 8 aircraft, accompanied by parliamentary leader of the PNG National Party Joe Mek Teine, wives of the deceased and their children and other Hagen Central leaders.

People from Yamka and the neighbouring tribes in a mourning procession as they escorted the casket containing the remains of the late Paul Pora from the Kagamuga Airport to the Tega ceremonial grounds where thousands of mourners waited to receive the body. – Nationalpic by JAMES APA GUMUNO

The huge crowd outside the Air Niugini terminal was well-behaved, allowing other airlines to continue on with their operations.

After the Dash 8 landed, the casket of the late Pora was transferred onto an open-back Fifth Element vehicle and, escorted by police traffic and a bagpipes band, proceeded slowly from Kagamuga Airport all the way to his Tega village where thousands of mourners waited.

The Tega ceremonial ground was packed to capacity with the crowd stretching from the main arena out onto the road, allowing very little room for free movement as neighbouring tribes turned up in droves yesterday. More are expected today and tomorrow.

The late Pora will be laid to rest on Sunday at his village.

Former Kerowagi MP Waguwo Goiye said he had received news that PNG National Party supporters from Chimbu would arrive tomorrow for the funeral.

Other party followers and supporters from within the highlands were also expected tomorrow.

No Western Highlands MPs accompanied the casket when it left Port Moresby for Mt Hagen yesterday.