By WASTA ROYAL
POLICE have taken about 120 youths into custody and are awaiting the surrender of more following a violent clash involving Talakua, Ralalar and Gunanur villages in East New Britain.
Four houses were allegedly burned down at Ralalar by youths from Gunanur, while one man was injured and is receiving treatment at Nonga General Hospital.
Police are investigating the incident as a case of arson and murder.
According to the Chairman for Law and Order in ENB and Kokopo City Mayor, Hon James Kopex, eight youths have already surrendered to police. Around 120 youths from the Gunanur faction are now in police custody while their mass surrender is being processed.
However, police are still waiting for the remaining youths from Ralalar and Talakua wards to surrender.
Kokopo Mobile Squad units are maintaining a strong
presence in the area, and officers are with the Ralalar Ward Member, ordering him to gather all those involved in the violence so they can face the law.
In response to the ongoing law and order issues, Hon Kopex says reconciliation alone is no longer effective for today’s youths. He is calling for a policy paper to be drafted to review current criminal laws, including arson, so that maximum penalties such as life imprisonment can be enforced.