Two Highlands provinces in Papua New Guinea are banning alcohol from next month.
There will be total liquor ban in Western Highlands and Jiwaka from January 19 in an effort to address escalating crime.
The Western Highlands administrator Joseph Neng says a ban on the importation of liqour has already been put in place and penalties for being caught with alcohol are still being discussed.
Mr Neng says community leaders called for the ban after a string of killings, tribal fights and other incidents.
"There has been an accumulation of activities as well as a particular incident between two and three weeks ago where a policeman was stabbed to death and also two other local men have also been murdered related to liquor issues."
Mr Neng says the ban will be reviewed after three months.
Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela provinces have also recently banned alcohol.
