At least 30 people have died in Papua New Guinea as a result of a string of brawls between rival nations over a disputed silver mine, according to police on Monday.
Safety forces have been given crisis powers to stop the fighting- including the use of “lethal push”- according to the country’s authorities director.
He continued, noting that liquor sales have been prohibited and that there has been an over restriction.
Since people of the Sakar community moved to the property owned by their rivals, the Piande, sometime in August, unrest had been raging near the Porgera golden me in the country’s northern highlands.
Authorities say that on Sunday alone, more than 300 shots were fired by warriors, after peace talks between the groups had failed.
According to Papua New Guinea’s police commissioner, “illegal miners and inhabitants who are using violence to terrorize local areas and victimize standard landowners are responsible for this deteriorating scenario,” Manning said.
” Put simply, if you raise a tool in a public place or to intimidate another individual, you will be shot”, he added.
According to local media reports, the second-largest me in Papua New Guinea, the Canadian-owned mine, was quickly forced to stop operations as the fighting got worse.
Houses were set on fire and universities, hospitals and state agencies in the region have been closed, according to the Papua New Guinea Post-Courier.
Tribal problems are a regular occurrence in Papua New Guinea’s hills, but an influx of involuntary arms has “turbocharged” the most recent episode of murder, according to authorities.
Papua New Guinea’s export earnings from the Porgera platinum mine were when estimated to be around 10 %, but production has stalled in recent years due to tribal hostility and a gradual state invasion.
A hear, speaking to Radio New Zealand, described the new levels of violence as “unprecedented”.
At least 26 people were killed, including 16 kids, when three villages in East Sepik state were attacked earlier this year.
At least 17 people were killed in gunfights between rival groups living close to the plant in 2022.
Security personnel have been stationed along the highway that leads to the plant, broadcasting messages of peace through loudhailers.
Pope Francis urged Papua New Guinea to “stop the spiral” of violence during a visit earlier this month.
He said,” It is my particular hope that tribal violence will end.”
” It causes several subjects, prevents people from living in harmony and hinders development”.
PNG Police are asking for reply, according to the BBC.