Deaths mar State of Origin telecasts in PNG

GOROKA – A young policeman was allegedly hacked to death by a group of youths in Goroka, Papua New Guinea, on Wednesday night.

The incident occurred in Kama village as thousands watched the second State of Origin live telecast from Australia.

The murder triggered an early morning dawn raid by police in which several houses were burnt down in and several individuals seriously injured.

Provincial police commander John Kale has confirmed the “murder” saying police will get to the bottom of the incident by arresting the perpetrators who will “face the full force of the law”.

Police sources in Goroka told the Post Courier that a handful of suspects were apprehended and locked up at the police cells for interrogation.

Kale has launched a full scale investigation into the killing of the Goroka - based mobile squad policeman.

An argument between Southern Highlanders and Engans, hours after the large-screen televised State of Origin clash at Morata Two in Moresby Northwest on Wednesday left one man dead and several houses destroyed by fire.

This occurred in the early hours of Thursday morning at Morata Two. One man died and houses, including a trade store, were burnt in the clash.

Sources at Morata said yesterday tension was still high between the Pangia and Wabag factions but was under control after police intervened.

Eyewitnesses said had it not been for the police officers’ presence, the fight would have spread, claiming more properties and lives.

A man from Eastern Highlands was allegedly stoned to death in Mt Hagen on Wednesday night during the second State of Origin telecast.

The Eastern Highlands settlers in the area blamed the Moge Komunka tribe for the death and blocked off a road in to Mt Hagen city.

Mt Hagen police had to intervene to restore peace but aggrieved Eastern Highlands settlers armed with bows and arrows and bush knives continued to block the road and demanded the Moge community leaders to bring the perpetrators to justice.

A six-year-old girl has been missing since Wednesday night’s State of Origin live telecast at Kira Kira village in Moresby South electorate.

The girl went with her uncle to the watch the game on the giant screen at a volleyball courts when she was reported missing.

The uncle returned home after the match only to find out that she had not returned home, prompting a village search that found no trace of her.

The girl’s mother has appealed to those who may have abducted her to return her daughter unharmed.