Clashes in PNG's Simbu Province after local level elections

3:44 pm on 26 August 2019

Tensions linger in the capital of Papua New Guinea's Simbu province after clashes between political factions.

Papua New Guinea police.

Papua New Guinea police. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades

Supporters of two rival members of the local council clashed violently last week in Kundiawa over the position of deputy provincial governor, following local level government elections.

The resulting violence left several people seriously injured and caused destruction of numerous properties in town.

Police said the situation has since settled, but they remain on alert.

It is the latest in a series of political conflicts or electoral disputes in Kundiawa since the 2017 general election.