3 attacks on Hickey as 146 houses torched

By JAYNE SAFIHAO

 

MEMBER for Bogia John Hickey and his wife were attacked three times at Dylup in Madang in separate incidents while 146 houses, belonging to settlers, were razed following a delay in a compensation payment last weekend, The National reports.

Last Sunday morning, a group of youths confronted the Hickeys as they were driving through Bogia station.

“At Kumul River, another group of armed youths flagged us down but I did not stop.

“I drove straight at them and the youths dispersed,” Hickey said when relaying the incidents to The National yesterday.

“We approached Dylup only to be confronted again by armed youths who damaged my car with bush knives,” he said.

“We were nearly killed.”

Hickey said: “The road condition along the North Coast is so bad and the there are no police at Bogia.”

Police in the area, however, said homes of labourers and settlers at Dylup plantation were razed to the ground last weekend following an armed hold-up last Thursday.

Reports said Buskens-Dimer villagers travelling on a PMV to Madang town were held up and robbed at Dylup, with the robbers stealing K400 in cash and a tool box.

A passenger and the PMV crew were injured in the incident.

In retaliation, Buskens-Dimer villagers demanded that the Dylup people pay them K5, 000 in compensation and a pig worth K600.

The peace ceremony, scheduled for last Sunday, did not take place as there was no mediator.

Tired of waiting, Buskens-Dimer youths marched into the plantation and torched every house in sight.

This happened when the Hickeys were passing through, resulting in their car being damaged.

Hickey had blamed provincial police commander Anthony Wagambie Jnr for the breakdown in law and order in the province.

Talidik rural police commander Snr Sgt Francis Wullinga confirmed the raid on the plantation and said his men were investigating.