BY JEROME IKUAVI
Local Bakovi tribal chief William Garey in West New Britain Province has assured the people of the safety of their movement around provincial capital, Kimbe, during normal business hours.
This follows last week’s fatal attacks on three people which caused injury to others during a clash by rival groups.
Mr Garey, who is an honoured leader in the Bakovi tribe and in Talasea district said such an incident should not have happened however deaths have resulted and they now had to rectify the situation.
“Normally, in such situations people will retaliate and it could have escalated but we were able to cool down the situation and with respect to the leaders and the national election the people have taken the course to listen to the leaders,” Mr Garey said.
He said it was time for reconciliation and for them to do the right thing.
“Nobody can solve our problems it is we with our leaders that can solve such problems.
“We want the law to identify the ring leaders so that the law can separate them from the petty criminals and deal with them separately and also there are some innocent people and we do not want them to be involved,” said Mr Garey
He said that the people of Bakovi want the law to take its course now that “I believe the situation is under control with police.”
“This situations requires a community effort therefore it is our duty despite our differences we must make the province a better place and the last few days have indicated that our people have changed and that is something that has never happened before,” Gare said.
He said people in Kimbe must not be scared and should go back to their normal business with all shops be opened including the market.
He appealed to the young men in the communities not to create problems which they cannot solve.