Three-Year-Old girl beheaded 'in land dispute'

A THREE-year-old girl has been beheaded in Papua New Guinea in an attack thought to be over a land dispute.

Police made the shocking discovery yesterday in Madang province, on PNG's northeastern coast, after residents reported that up to seven men had abducted the girl from the coastal village of Bogia.

Four men have been arrested over her killing.

The police commander of Madang province, Chief Inspector Anthony Wagambie, told PNG's The National newspaper that he was "disgusted'' by the gruesome killing, which he he said was linked to tensions over land.

"Police will continue investigations until all seven suspects are apprehended,'' he said.

The men allegedly attacked the mother, who managed to escape with another child, an infant, Wagambie said.

The body of the girl was still missing.

The murder is believed to be connected to conflict between resettled Manam islanders and Bogia locals.

A series of volcanic eruptions in 2004 forced 15,000 islanders to flee to the mainland and settle in Bogia.

Earlier this year four islanders were reportedly killed during land disputes between the groups.

Kuluguma local ward councillor Charles Yanda said local people want PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to settle the matter through better land allocations.

"Under no circumstances will the Manam people return to the destroyed island,'' he said.

Lawrence Konaka, president of the Iabu local government area, has also appealed to Mr Somare to intervene on behalf of the islanders.

"The Bogia people hate us and we cannot return to the island because it is in a terrible state,'' he said.

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