A Papua New Guinea police vehicle Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Tensions are high in the Papua New Guinea town of Kimbe after a series of tribal clashes in the West New Britain town.
The Post Courier reports that animosity between two ethnic groups from outside the province has been growing since a teacher was killed in 2014.
According to the provincial police commander, in late June, a drunk Peter Homoli Junior approached a close relative of the teacher, who reacted by hacking Mr Homoli with a machete.
Mr Homoli's family reacted by joining groups from other provinces to ransack shops and burn down houses.
The newspaper says the settlement of Wabag is now deserted, with only residents of neighbouring settlements passing through to commute to central Kimbe.
An urgent meeting held by the provincial peace and good order committee last Friday failed to reach a resolution.
