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| Mariannhill English
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| 25.05.2010 |
| Papua New Guinea: Bulolo burns |
BULOLO BURNS was the title given by the newspaper last week when reporting about an attack on the Sepik people living in Bulolo. I went to Bulolo with Fr. Krystof to see for myself what happened. On our arrival we were permitted a tour on all the Sepik settlements which were burned to the ground, bananas trees and garden destroyed. Six members of the Special Police Squad M13 escorted us to visit the place. For Fr. Tony and the catechist Martin it was the first time that they were allowed to go insight the settlements, 8 of them were burned down we have seen Biwat and Cement Bridge. Only the chapel in the settlement remained, the aid post was burned down.
The raid by over 1,000 Morobeans came after the son of a store owner was killed during a hold up by Sepiks it is believed. That happened in Patep. People from there were able to mobilise people from as far as Wau et Mumeng to help them. The motive: "we are fed up of Sepiks". Then they stroke at six o'clock in the morning. People had to run for their life, not having the time to take anything at all with them. They take refuge inside the company compound and at the police station. In Biwat people resisted. Patrick, Lucy's husband, had a stone in his eye and the doctors had to remove his eye. Our good friend Casimir defended his property but was also wounded by a stone. This was not enough, The day after the Morobeans came in force and destroyed the whole settlement . A grenade that did not exploded was found in the middle of the rubbish at Biwat.
People had taken refuge in the church. From there they were able to hear the "enemy" shouting outside the Company and trying to get inside. It was really frightened they said. All teachers from St. Peter's are here in Lae. St. Peter's is one of our best schools with over 1,000 students, the majority catholics. Three elementary schools in the destroyed settlement are feeders for St. Peter's. What will happened I don't know.
I have carried with me some food and what was most needed: some clothing. People had left there house only with was they were wearing. One Maman told me: "Bishop, I was not able to save my statue of our Lady". How to find words of comfort!
In the afternoon we went to the big meeting that took place at the Police Station. The main issue for the meeting was the ultimatum given by the Morobeans (papa gruan or traditionell land owners) all Sepiks have to leave within 72 hours or we are coming back! The Governor Luther Wenge promised that he will not send back settlers to their home province without their consent. The Member of Parliament, Sam Basil (son of Mrs Donna) offered to repatriate the unemployed, mothers and children. He is willing to put a considerable sum of money for this. But at the same time he want all the publics servants, police, teachers to remain because otherwise the town will collapse. Sepiks are recognised to have built Bulolo. So it seems that for the time being people will stay at a care centre at the Police Station living under tents. Then it could be that women and children goes to the "ples". The Company (PNG Forest Products) will provide blocks for their 400 Sepiks employees ( and housing?). The meeting finished with no guarantee that the 72 hours treat by the Morobeans will be lifted. Then the Sepiks presented their own petition. On damages for the lost of their houses, belonging, lost of work, men who were killed in the battle and the contribution the Sepiks ancestors have made to Bulolo since 1913, the sum of 200 million kina! I don't think that petition will help their cause. Five people were killed but I don't know of which side.
We left Bulolo, which is declared war zone at 4:00 p.m. It was a great consolation for me to meet so many of my good people of Bulolo.
God bless and in union of prayers.
+Christian CMM
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| Bishop Chris Blouin CMM | E-Mail |
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