27 Dec 2013

Bougainville families homeless after villagers clash

4:35 pm on 27 December 2013

More than 20 families are receiving emergency help after more than 90 houses were burnt down and crops destroyed at Sing village in Papua New Guinea's Bougainville last Friday.

New Dawn FM reports the houses were burnt down in retaliation after a man from the Solos area of Peit constituency on Buka Island was killed, allegedly by a youth from nearby Sing village.

The Post Courier says the 3 houses that were not torched had all their possessions taken.

It also reports that the arsonists mistakenly destroyed coconut plantations owned by relatives of the dead man.

Local MPs have been called in to try and ease tensions between the two village groups.

The Bougainville Disaster Coordinator, Franklyn Lacey, says rations of rice and noodles are being provided for the families, as well as tents, water and eating utensils.