A MAN, among four others, who were severely wounded following alleged sorcery accusation related violence (Sarv), was air-lifted for the first time from Chimbu’s Karamui over the weekend.
PNG Tribal Foundation president Garry Bustin said the coordinated efforts by Tribal, Manalos Aviation and the newly-established Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) Police Air Wing have made the rescue mission possible.
The elderly survivor, a retired police officer, suffered severe burns to his foot during the attack and was airlifted to Chimbu hospital in Kundiawa.
He said this was the first time a coordinated aerial police response had been deployed for a Sarv case in Papua New Guinea.
Bustin said it sent a clear message that these crimes would not be tolerated. It is time to end senseless torture and killing of innocent people.
“A policeman from Kundiawa, who works closely with Tribal Foundation on Sarv cases in Chimbu contacted us last Thursday night (July 16), seeking urgent air support for victims who had been tortured in Wenaiyo village,” he said.
“Following the call, I immediately contacted Manalos Aviation managing director and chief pilot Jürgen Ruh, telling him of the need and whether the police helicopter is available to assist.”
Ruh then contacted Police Commissioner David Manning, who approved the mission.
Bustin thanked the Lae-based Mobile Squad 13 officers, the Kundiawa police, Manalos Aviation, provincial police commander Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang and Manning for their leadership and commitment.
“The Mobile Squad 13 officers, working alongside Kundiawa police, arrested nine alleged perpetrators accused of torturing and seriously injuring four people and killing another,” Bustin said.
“The attack followed false accusations of sorcery surrounding the death of an elderly man in the village last month.”
PNG Tribal Foundation will continue working closely with police investigators in Kundiawa and the Public Prosecutor’s office to ensure those responsible are prosecuted and held accountable under the law. Bustin said the incident becomes the 66th active case of both SARV and GBV, supported by Tribal Foundation across the country.