Breakdown in law and order rife in Rigo village

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, April 10, 2016 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THAT was the snapshot given by a village leader and women’s representative in Rigo Central Local Level Government of Saroa in the Central Province.

Following the alleged stoning to death of an elderly man in the village in relation to land issues last weekend in the village- Rigo-Central Local Assembly Representative and Rigo District Council of Women President, Raga Tubuio, said the situation was getting worse.

She said that in a recent workshop held last month, facilitated by Child Fund, revealed a rise in drugs, gender-based violence, and alcohol abuse that have the potential to get out of hand as evidence of last weekend’s brutal killing.

“I myself am seeing it and hearing it- the village officials are seeing it and hearing it. Many view the problem as it is for those affected to address,” Mrs Tubuio said.

“The fear of shame of family names is keeping all the issues covered from the consuming marijuana, but due to family ties reports of such illegal activities go unnoticed.”

“Alcohol violence is happening and when mixed with land issues they have something in their minds already and that only fuels their actions that would never occur if those responsible were sober.”

“Motorists on the Magi Highway are very scared to come through Sinaugoro villages, fearing youths stopping them and demanding for money or will have their windscreens smashed when they are drunk,” she added.

When contacted this week, Central Provincial Commander, Laimo Asi confirmed the murder incident that took place in the village and said that his officers are on the case.

The commander condemned the killing adding that it was sad that people were resorting to murder in areas that claim to have Christian values.

“Saroa is one of the main big villages in the area and what has happened is not the kind of behaviors we should have the people resorting to.”

He also made comments regarding the fall in law and order issues in Saroa and other villages in the Sinaugoro area of Rigo- calling on leaders from the political level down to councilors to play their roles in helping police carry out their role.

“With have just close to 200 officers to police the entire province, one can understand the issues we are faced with in terms of manpower and resources,” Mr Asi said.

“The community leaders should take a role to sit down with us and we discuss these issues. I have a new commander for the Kwikila police station that serves the areas however due to housing issues he cannot assume his role as yet.”

He called on villages in the area to refrain from taking the law into their hands, stating that are systems in place to settle land issues from the villages courts that progress up to the district level.