How the funnelling of high-powered weapons into Papua New Guinea is making tribal violence deadlier

For the second time in as many months, Papua New Guinea is reeling from significant bloodshed. Last year as violence was escalating, PNG police sealed the province of Enga Photo shows An aerial view shows the charred remains of a building, with sparse trees nearby With a seemingly endless supply of guns, money and young men willing to act as mercenaries, tribal fighting in PNG has become akin to guerilla warfare. Police struggling to catch leaders funding tribal violence In the wake of Sunday's massacre, Commissioner Manning said legislation would be introduced to parliament to give police greater powers, to "prevent acts of domestic terrorism". One senior police officer said police weren't "superman", and wouldn't "stand between warring tribes when high-powered firearms are being used". He said when police had attempted mediation through local engagement with communities, "the people simply don't listen to us and start off fighting again".