LAE police yesterday charged a man with wilful murder following the death of a Butibam villager last weekend.
Metropolitan commander Iven Lakatani would not disclose the name of the suspect but confirmed that the main suspect had been charged.
The deceased male of Butibam and Finschhafen parentage was stabbed in the chest early last Friday evening in the precinct of his home at the
Bumbu settlement.
Butibam villagers blocked both road entrances, from Kamkumung and Chinatown/Malahang, into the village during the weekend in protest over the incident.
Lakatani said the barricades were lifted on Tuesday following talks between village leaders and himself on Monday afternoon.
Tensions are still high in the Bumbu settlement area with settlers fearing reprisal from the neighbouring villagers.
A meeting is expected to be held with political leaders next Thursday to discuss the issue.
Butibam villagers are angered at the increasing harassment and disrespect for local landowners and their families.
They said there were increasing incidences of crimes such as hold-ups, stealing, bag-snatching, rape and alcohol and drug abuse in the Chinatown and Bumbu areas that border Butibam.
Villagers say this is the third death at the hands of settlers in the past 13 years.
Metropolitan commander Iven Lakatani would not disclose the name of the suspect but confirmed that the main suspect had been charged.
The deceased male of Butibam and Finschhafen parentage was stabbed in the chest early last Friday evening in the precinct of his home at the
Bumbu settlement.
Butibam villagers blocked both road entrances, from Kamkumung and Chinatown/Malahang, into the village during the weekend in protest over the incident.
Lakatani said the barricades were lifted on Tuesday following talks between village leaders and himself on Monday afternoon.
Tensions are still high in the Bumbu settlement area with settlers fearing reprisal from the neighbouring villagers.
A meeting is expected to be held with political leaders next Thursday to discuss the issue.
Butibam villagers are angered at the increasing harassment and disrespect for local landowners and their families.
They said there were increasing incidences of crimes such as hold-ups, stealing, bag-snatching, rape and alcohol and drug abuse in the Chinatown and Bumbu areas that border Butibam.
Villagers say this is the third death at the hands of settlers in the past 13 years.