Youths in Busu Compound who used firearms during a fight on Sunday have been given 24 hours to surrender the weapons or be arrested.
Four firearms were used during a fight between people from Kabwum and Markham living in the compound. Malahang Police Station Commander, Chief Sergeant Paul Wapinan, is appealing to community leaders to help identify the offenders. The youths were given a grace period of four days to surrender the weapons, including equipment used to make homebrew.
The grace period ended today, however, no firearms were brought forward, only some equipment used to make homebrew were surrendered.
The Commander of Malahang Police Station, Chief Sergeant Paul Wapinan, said until they surrender the weapons, the police will not facilitate a reconciliation process between the two ethnic groups.
“What’s the purpose of a reconciliation if you do not surrender what you used to fight. I will facilitate a reconciliation, if nothing is surrendered, there is no meaning – I believe they might use the weapons again.”
Police say there was a clash between the two groups on Sunday – the day of the mediation. According to Malahang PSC, the fight broke out after a woman from Kabwum was harassed. The woman, then reported the matter to her relatives who retaliated.
This matter was supposed to be resolved through a mediation on Sunday however, another fight broke out during which firearms were used. Malahang police are now betting on community leaders for a successful outcome.
A community leader and the former ward councilor, John Kais is concerned with the safety of innocent residents. He is appealing to the community to talk to youths to surrender the firearms and other illegal items.
“We want peace to be restored, that’s why we are appealing to the community to talk to youth to surrender illegal items.”
Meanwhile those involved are given until 4.06 pm tomorrow to surrender the firearms.
By Sharlyne Eri – EMTV News, Lae
