5 suspects arrested in relation to Angoram Massacre

Five suspects have been arrested in relation to the massacre in the Kanda area of  Angoram  District in East Sepik Province.

Twenty six people including women and children were raped and killed in the Tamara, Tambari and Angrumara villages between 16-18 July by a gang of about 30 men.

East Sepik Acting Provincial Police Commander James Baugen told NBC News today, that his men are on the ground working to have all the other 25 suspects apprehended.

"So far, they are trying their best to make some more arrests. So, I am talking to the president, the councilors there, to cooperate with us and try to surrender those culprits involved, to us." 

Acting PPC Baugen says a mobile squad unit is expected to arrive in the province to assist local police."We are getting manpower, mobile squad from Port Moresby will  come today and stay and be involved in that operation down there assisting the policemen on the ground, Acting PPC Baugen said.

The mass killings were due to long standing land disputes among the villagers.

Baugen says his men are faced with the challenge of navigating the dried up waterways while pursuing the gang and they hope to make more arrests soon with the assistance of the Mobile squad unit.

"So some areas where they want to go into - the river way leading to those places has dried up making it difficult for police men to go in. Places like Tambari, Angrumara and these areas. But my men are still on the ground working on more arrests," Baugen said.

The Provincial police has appealed to the local councillors and presidents in the area to get the suspects to surrender.

"They have to make themselves available so police can take them in."

Meanwhile, a care center has been set up in Angoram to cater for the displaced villagers from the three villages of Tamara, Tambari and Angrumara who fled, after the mass killing mid this month.

Acting PPC Baugen says 32 houses were burnt in these villages and the people need shelter, food and water among other necessities.

He appealed to the provincial government to assist those affected.

"They are under the care of the district administration in Angoram. They need shelter, clothes, cooking utensils like pots and pans, plates, knives for when this issue is resolved, and they return home."