A revenge attack resulted in multiple casualties in the Munima village in Papua New Guinea.
What We Know:
- The victims were killed during a fight in a village in the Hela province of Papua New Guinea.
- Eight children and eight women, two of whom were pregnant, were killed in the attack.
- The New York Times reported violence between communities in Papua New Guinea has recently increased “amid tensions over politics and developing gas fields.”
- Chief Inspector Teddy Augwi told The Post-Courier that the situation began when six people were ambushed and killed as they were returning from a ceremony on July 6.
- Relatives of the deceased gathered outside of the Karida village the following morning and executed a revenge attack using high-powered rifles to shoot and kill innocent people.
- Augwi stated, “This is a fight in guerrilla warfare, meaning they play hide-and-seek and ambush their enemies.”
- Prime Minister James Marape responded to the tragic events in a Facebook post. He wrote, “To all who have guns and kill and hide behind the mask of community, learn from what I will do to criminals who killed innocent people, I am not afraid to use strongest measures in law on you.”
This is a great tragedy. Hopefully, peace will be restored soon.