BTN News: In a tragic event, a gang attacked three remote villages in northern Papua New Guinea, killing at least 26 people. This news comes from the United Nations and local police. The attack has shocked the community and raised worries about land disputes and safety in the area.
Acting Provincial Police Commander James Baugen described the scene to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Friday. Baugen said that children, men, and women were among the victims. They were killed by a group of 30 men. “It was a very terrible scene,” Baugen said. “When I came to the area, I saw children, men, and women. They were killed by a group of 30 men.”
The attack did not stop with the killings. Baugen said that all the houses in the villages were burned down. The survivors were left without homes and were very scared. Many of them went to a local police station to find safety. They were too afraid to identify the attackers. The fear in the community is very strong as they deal with the loss and ongoing danger. Baugen also said that some bodies were taken away by crocodiles during the night. “We only saw the place where they had been killed. There were heads that had been cut off,” Baugen said. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the attackers are still free.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, made a statement on Wednesday. He expressed his horror at the violent attack. The attacks happened on July 16 and July 18. They were said to be due to a dispute over property and land use rights, including access to a lake. “I am shocked by the violent outbreak in Papua New Guinea, apparently over a dispute about land and lake access,” Turk said.
Turk also said that the number of deaths could go up. Local authorities are still looking for people who are missing. The current count includes at least 16 children among the 26 people confirmed dead. “This number could rise to 50 as local authorities search for the missing. Also, more than 200 villagers ran away when their houses were burned,” Turk added.
This event shows the growing problems and violence over land disputes in Papua New Guinea. The country already faces many challenges. The burning of homes and the displacement of hundreds of villagers show the need for quick action to stop more violence.
In conclusion, the deadly gang attack in northern Papua New Guinea is a reminder of the ongoing issues related to land disputes in the area. The loss of innocent lives, including children, and the displacement of over 200 villagers require immediate help from local authorities and the international community. As the search for the missing continues, focus must be on helping the affected families and ensuring justice for the victims of this terrible act.
