A member of parliament in Papua New Guinea says unrest in Hela province has spread to neighbouring Enga province.
A building burns in Mendi during a period of political unrest. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Melvin Levongo
According to the MP for Laigap-Porgera, Tomait Kapili, a build-up of illegal weapons in Hela is having spillover effects throughout the Highlands region.
In recent months, Hela has been plagued by deadly tribal violence and attacks on the LNG gas Project.
Meanwhile, a state of emergency was declared this month in Southern Highlands due to politically driven unrest.
Police vehicle burnt in PNG's Enga province in deadly violence between Amala and Teremanda villagers, May 2018. Photo: Supplied
Mr Kapili said Enga province, struggling since last year with its own deadly election-related violence, has not been immune from the recent trouble.
"There has been some tribal fighting within the Paiela area, getting into the Porgera township. There's been a number of murders around the place. Yeah,it's all coming in from Hela. There's an arms build-up and all that coming out of Hela," Mr Kapili said.
Call for more security at Porgera
Porgera mine. Photo: wikicommons / Richard Farbellini
The Laigap-Porgera MP also voiced frustration at the lack of security forces available to protect a major mine in his district.
Operated by Canadian miner Barrick Gold, the Porgera gold mine has been plagued by lawlessness for many years.
According to Mr Kapili, there had been recent trouble at the large gold mine.
"And you have armed men going into the mine area. There was (recently) some exchanges of fire without any casualties. We've asked the government to send some people out, especially to the mine site. They haven't. Barrick's own security personnel are protecting and guarding the area," Mr Kapili said.
Tomait Kapili said that despite provisions for an extra deployment of Defence Force troops under the state of emergency in the region after February's 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Hela, the extra security help hadn't fully materialised.
