The governor of Papua New Guinea's capital has condemned two violent deaths in the city within a span of 72 hours.
The governor of Papua New Guinea's National Capital District, Powes Parkop. Photo: RNZ / Koroi Hawkins
The killings occurred in settlements and stemmed from disagreements over money, the National reports.
In the first incident, a Gulf Province man was knifed to death by a man from Hela because he did not repay the 100 kina he had borrowed.
The second incident involved a man from Enga who allegedly killed another man from Western Province with a knife in a dispute over a 20 toea coin.
Governor Powes Parkop described the killings as barbaric and senseless, saying the perpetrators should be punished.
Mr Parkop called on police to also arrest anyone impeding the arrest of the alleged perpetrators, or those seeking to organise compensation over the killing.
He said in the recent past, criminals had been allowed to escape prosecution, by using peace negotiations and other community initiatives to bring peace as a cover.
Mr Parkop thanked police for swiftly responding to stop more violence and destruction of properties in the areas.