Simbu Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Superintendent , Mazuc Rubiang has commended his police personnel and the leaders of Sambuga Wauga in Kerowagi for negotiating a peace agreement over a tribal fight between the two warring clans from further escalation.
PPC Rubiang said the fighting between the two warring clans, Gurumugl/Kerenga and Dimbai/Gawale has claimed seven lives and valuable properties destroyed as well including Kerenga Primary School, and an Aid Post.
Mr Rubiang confirmed that of the seven deaths, four were from Gurumugl/Kerenga clansmen whilst three were from Dimbai/Gawale clansmen. He said both warring factions used high-powered firearms during the tribal fights.
It was alleged that the misleading reports of domestic violence of two married couples has led to the tribal fight where the wife’s clansmen, Dimbal/Gawale and the husband’s clansmen, Gurumugl/Kerenga, started fighting each other from November 11, 2024, to January 13, 2025.
It was believed that the warring clans involved in the tribal fights were those people who were living up the mountains of Enduga ward six from Kup Local Level Government (LLG) in Kerowagi, Simbu Province.
Mr Rubiang said despite the lives lost, and properties destroyed, the continued peace negotiation and awareness from both the police personnel and the community leaders enabled the two warring clans to come to an agreement and decided on peace talks.
He said the peace talks has eventually led to the actual “Brukim Sugar” and peace ceremony which is scheduled on Wednesday 06th February 2025.
PPC Rubiang said the police personnel and the mediation team would camp in the fighting zone for seven days prior to the actual peace ceremony to ensure peace and order is maintained.
“I thank all the police personnel for their tireless efforts in conducting awareness for the warring clans to lay down arms, cease fighting and let peace ceremony take effect.
“I also commend the leaders of Sambuga Wauga of Kerowagi for creating the initiative and moved into the fighting zones and assisted police in conducting awareness for peace.
“This is a unique approach created by the leaders without fear for their own lives and fighting for the safety of other people’s lives and commended them for their efforts invested so far.
“I also thank the Catholic Church in Mingendi for donating rations for Sambuga Wauga leaders to camp with the police in the fighting zones,” Mr Rubiang said.
PPC Rubiang also appealed to all the leaders in the province to assist in whichever way they could in maintaining law and order in the communities and the province as well.