14 Nov 2014

PNG MP calls for state of emergency to quell tribal warfare

7:23 pm on 14 November 2014

The Papua New Guinea MP for Komo Margarima, Francis Potape, has called for a state of emergency to quell escalating tribal warfare in Hela province.

Mr Potape says the fighting which has so far claimed more than 20 lives will be best addressed by the immediate callout of a joint military and police operation as a result of a state of emergency being declared.

Hela region in PNG has a long history of tribal fighting.

Hela region in PNG has a long history of tribal fighting. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

Parts of the province have already been declared fighting zones, which allows soldiers to conduct special operations in the area.

But the Post Courier reports Mr Potape saying that only through a state of emergency would warlords and tribal ring leaders be rounded up and arrested.

The newspaper reports Mr Potape questioning whether the lucrative LNG project -- for which Hela province was created -- was a blessing or a curse, saying it was saddening to see Hela people killing each other without any respect.