by Jack Lapauve Jr – EM TV News, Tari
The capital of Hela province, Tari, came to a standstill this afternoon as residents awaited the arrival of the chartered aircraft carrying the body of the province’s late Governor, Anderson Agiru.
As the plane touched down at around 2pm, the casket was met by Parliamentary Speaker, Theo Zurenouc, and various dignitaries from within government and private enterprise.
Thousands gathered in Tari town, with a week-long holiday declared to coincide with the mourning period.
Sounds of weeping could be heard all throughout town, with the casket being escorted by members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
After a short service at Andaja Oval, the casket was officially handed over to the Hela Provincial Government by Zurenouc at around 3pm this afternoon.
