The police in Papua New Guinea have busted a cult movement in Morobe Province according to the Post Courier newspaper.
The cult has been allegedly responsible for the killing, looting and harassment of villagers and government workers over the last year.
Janine Sudbury reports
"Police arrested 18 villagers and confiscated 11 guns on Christmas Day. The 18 who are now in Sailum in Morobe have been charged with possession of firearms and will appear in court in the new year. Two other men were taken to hospital after police shot them in their legs. The Morobe police commander, Chief Inspector Augustine Wampe said that the men were fully armed and had placed mounted guns with telescopic equipment on mountain tops to target policemen or government workers who ventured into the area. He says more arrests are likely. The problems began after a dispute over the ownership of the Asak cattle project at Sikikia village in January between the then manager and the villagers. Mr Wampe says the villagers have been going on raids into Sailum station, threatening and harassing policemen and government workers. He says a lack of money prevented police from moving into the area until the Morobe Provincial Government provided funds and police moved in on foot and by helicopter."
