The ousted Kandep MP in Papua New Guinea has urged warring tribesmen to pull back from their deadly fighting in Enga Province.
At least 20 people have died in election-related violence since last month in Enga around disputes related to the troubled Kandep Open seat.
The provincial police commander George Kakas said six people have died since Friday in Enga's capital Wabag after fighting involving two tribes, one of whom is linked with supporters of the ousted MP Don Polye.
Enga Provincial Police Commander Superintendent George Kakas. Photo: google+ / Kakas
Mr Kakas called on Mr Polye to stop his supporters fighting.
Mr Polye said he had made repeated calls for an end to the fighting.
But he said it was a cycle of retribution, typical of inter-tribal conflict in PNG which is difficult to contain.
"When lives have been lost on either side, what they would want to do, is they would want to take revenge on that one life, or however many lives lost," Mr Polye said.
"When lives are lost and when they're on the revenge-taking mode, it is very challenging sometimes to even stop.
"The fight continues regardless of the efforts we put in," he said.
Papua New Guinea opposition leader Don Polye. Photo: Supplied
