FORMER Hela Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Mr. Mark Yagen has strongly condemned a series of violence and law and order issues affecting the Southern Highlands Province, and called on leaders to work together to restore peace in the province.
He said the recent killing of Mobile Squad (MS) Member in Mendi, gang-orientated hold-ups and criminal activities have painted bad pictures for the province.
Mr. Yagne said these issues have escalated, affecting other innocent neighbouring Upper Highlands provinces.
The former Hela police boss expressed these sentiments while embracing peace during a milestone ceasefire agreement signing between the Kiluwe Larel Peraka and Tungjup Tribes of Upper Mendi Local Level Government last Thursday.
The peace ceremony was held after a three-day gun battle between the tribes due to a social rugby league game.
This tribal fight has caused loss of lives, including properties, however, both sides decided to laid down arms for peace mediation and negotiations to prevails.
“The pioneer missionaries were invited by my fathers, Yangen and Kisamp. Thus, I respect and uphold Christian principles,” Yangen said while signing the peace instruments, representing his Karel-Peraka tribe.
“We are known for maintaining peace in entire Upper Mendi area and I believe in education for the youths, Christian faith, business activities and respect for the rule of law.
“I heard about the unexpected conflict and told my boys not to retaliate but run away.
“That is why our people have been saved and non of my boys were killed but the entire Karel Village was destroyed,” he said.
“If I had common enemies, I would have guns to protect my community but I don’t have enemies and why should I have guns.”
Mr. Yagen further stated that the Tungjup Tribesmen are his brothers and what had transpired was unexpected occurrence that caught them by surprise.
“We have inter-marriage relations and have friends and families on either sides. Therefore, we want peace,” Yangen said.
Mr. Lucas Martin of Tungjup Tribe also expressed similar sentiments and urged the leaders and the mediation teams to push for the ceasefire.
“I really need good leaders in the communities we come from because good leadership leads to peaceful communities,” he said.
“We do not want fight but we need peace in the communities where people can enjoy peacefully amongst each other.
“Our good name has been tarnished because of few individuals’ behaviours. Therefore, I want peace to take place as soon as possible,” Martin said.
Southern Highlands Peace and Restoration Committee Chairman Mr. Philip Moya thanked Vice Minister of State Enterprise, Hon. Raphael Tonpi, Soutehr Highlands Governor, Hon. William Powi, and the Provincial Administrator for their support in restoring piece in Mendi Valley.
Mr. Moya acknowledged the Kurilka Suwolol Tribe for taking the ownership and neutral stand to initiate a community-based mediation team for the Ceasefire Agreement between the two tribes.
“It was first of its kind and what Kurilka Sowolol has achieved can be replicated every where in Mendi Munhui, Lai Valley, Karinz, Undiri and Kambiri in order to take back Mendi Valley and greater Southern Highlands,” Moya said.
The Tungjup United Church Bishop, Stanley Buka also pushed for the Ceasefire Agreement, saying, “God created man purposely to look after the environment and its people. However, we make decisions that are not right for our own lives. Therefore, we don’t want fight, we want peace in order to live peaceful amongst ourselves”.
