By ZEBEDEE KUMPIO
MINISTER for International Trade and Investment and Member for Yanguru-Sausia, Hon. Richard Maru, said his district administration is doing all it can to support families who lost their houses due to a fight that broke out last week between two neighboring villages.
He said more than 230 houses were burnt down, leaving over 1500 people homeless and 2 dead in a fight that broke out as a result of a brawl between intoxicated youths.
Maru said he visited the two affected villages, Maramanja and Wanjo, to assess the situation and see the families.
“The Yangoru-Sausia District Development Authority (DDA) has now established a Care Centre at Maramanja and all the tents have gone up,” he said.
“We are now asking all the villagers who are scattered all over the district to return home,” the Minister said.
“I have 10 policemen from the Wewak-based task force now stationed in Maramanja village.
“They are living in the preschool and will provide security so that there is no more trouble between both sides.”
Maru said peace talks will start tomorrow with the view that over the next two weeks, they can negotiate a peace agreement that can be signed by both parties to bring lasting peace to the affected villages.
In the meantime, the DDA is bringing in relief supplies that include food, eating utensils, clothes, and a generator that will also be set up at the camp to provide power.
“We are working to coordinate relief efforts with our people from our district, donors and partners who want to assist our people that are in need,” he added.
