A heated argument escalated into a three-hour fight on Monday October 24, 2022 in the Trobriand Island of Milne Bay Province resulting in 23 deaths and several people seriously wounded, says Milne Bay Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Peter Barkie.
Mr Barkie said the fight broke out after an argument between the coastal and inland villages following a soccer match that the locals took part in during the Independence celebration a month ago.
The coastal villages include Kavataria, Mulosaida and Orabesi and have confirmed six deaths while the inland villages of Gumlababa, Wabutuma, Bwetalu, Luya and Yalaka confirmed 17 deaths. Losuia Station was used as a battle ground.
Mr Barkie said the National Maritime Safety Authority assisted police with a boat on Monday evening and on Tuesday morning a Section of 10 police personnel were sent to the Trobriand Islands.
He said from initial assessment the fighting has stopped and the people are now mourning and burying those who were killed in the fight. Mr Barkie said Police in Milne Bay do not have boats but small dinghies which becomes quite difficult to reach out to the Islands in the province especially during times like this.
Mr Barkie said manpower on the other hand continues to be a serious problem as the total number of police personnel including himself is 74 to police four districts in the province with a total population of over 300,000. He said the ratio of police personnel in Milne Bay Province is one policeman for every 4,150 people.
PPC Barkie said as a precautionary measure, he has requested for a Mobile Squad to be put on standby in case the situation escalates again and also requested Police Headquarter to send in a Task Force Team to assist his command.
“Currently the Police Personnel have spoken to the villagers and their leaders to end this fight completely and solve the issue properly without any more fighting.
“Casualties, deaths, destruction of the villages and people being displaced over a soccer game is not worth it. A simple soccer match is not something to die for,” Mr Barkie and his men told the villagers from both sides.
He encouraged the people of the Trobriand Islands to respect the law and allow justice to take its course and also to respect each other so they can continue to live in peace and harmony.
PPC Milne Bay, Superintendent Peter Barkie.