University student’s murder in Madang raises broader questions

Tuesday, March 18th, 2014

The situation has been tense at the Divine Word University in Madang following the murder of a third year journalism student last Friday night.

According to his roommate Nigel Laki, who is from Sepik, was attacked outside the Madang Technical Teachers College while making his way back home to his cousin’s house.

On Monday the Catholic Reporter PNG said that 6 people suspected of being involved in the murder are now in custody in Madang.

Early rumours laid the blame on settlement youth but police are still investigating and some are saying this may not be the case.

Sepik students at the Divine University Word University had a meeting at the weekend with the University president Fr Jan Czuba who appealed to all parties to maintain order and let the police investigate the killing.

Catholic Reporter PNG’s Fr Giorgio Licini, says “settlements exist in all developing countries and at times even in first world countries. They are not places full of rascals. Teachers, bank employees, policemen and other people in the so-called working class live in settlements.”

“They simply cannot afford to purchase, build or rent a house. Any current tertiary student is a potential settlement dweller.”

“The problem is wider. It relates to urbanisation because of lack of development, facilities and amenities in rural areas. It is aggravated by tribal fights and sorcery persecution that force people out of their remote but agriculturally prosperous villages in the Highlands.”

Read all of Fr Giorgio’s article

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