HOSPITAL STAFF HOUSES BURNT DOWN DURING WAPENAMANDA TRIBAL WARFARE
The Mambisanda Emmanuel Lutheran Hospital was indefinitely closed as of yesterday evening following a tribal fight that erupted during polling in the Lower Lai area of Wapenamanda District, Enga Province.
Due to logistical constraints, the Electoral Commission designated Takaipos village in the Lower Lai constituency for the people of Awas, Tupikores, Wainapkam, Alumbalam, Ellyakanda, Ipia, Yalis, Tombes, Yuk, Manga and Aepanda wards consisting of an approximate total of 20, 000 people to elect their respective ward councilors.
During the voting the Yakuman Tribe planned a surprise attack targeting their Yangaukun tribal enemies that affected the general public in the act.
This saw a retaliatory attack that resulted in the burning of three hospital staff houses in an attempt to attack the Yakuman tribe members who reside amongst the hospital staff members.
The Mambisanda Emmanuel Lutheran Hospital infrastructure was established by American Lutheran missionaries and serves a bulk of the Wapenamanda District population well before PNG gained its independence.
The situation was attended to by the combined security forces who are currently on the ground to prevent further damage to the public properties.
Police confirmed that the hospital building is intact with no damages except for the staff houses.
