by Sasha Pei – Silovo
In the early hours of 6am this morning, the body of a newborn male infant was found floating down the river Tupukas in Arawa, in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
The infant was reportedly found with a rope tied around his neck; arousing suspicions by locals that the baby may have been strangled to death and cast into the river.
The finding of the lifeless infant created a stir in the town and surrounding areas, with most shocked by the criminal act against the newborn.
The corpse, when retrieved, was taken by the local police and onto the Arawa Health Centre for the body to be examined.
Later in the day, at around two in the afternoon, the infant was given a funeral mass, led by the parish priest, Fr George and then laid to rest at the Saint Peter and Paul, Tunuru Catholic Mission.
It is understood that police investigations are underway and the suspected murderer is known to police, however, the known suspect has gone into hiding and police are working to make an arrest soon. Two women have also been questioned over the homicide.
Police are appealing for the public in Arawa and surrounding areas to contact them should they have information pertaining to the death of the newborn infant.
