More shenanigans in Dodge City

Goroka’s reputation for once being a peaceful and safe town continues to be challenged. In a story I published a few days ago I made the comparison between Goroka and Dodge City after a  spate of violent crimes and armed hold-ups hammered the local Eastern Highlands capital. What transpired over the past couple of days was certainly no where near as violent or high impact as the events of the other week but definitely deserve the label of shenanigans.

One of the many online dictionaries defines shenanigans as:  mischief, mischief-making, mischievousness, deviltry, devilry, devilment, rascality, roguery, roguishness, shenanigan (reckless or malicious behaviour that causes discomfort or annoyance in others). The description in brackets is a perfect description of what occurred around West Goroka last Friday and again Saturday afternoon.

Friday’s incident involved the students from Bena High and Goroka Secondary Schools. Apparently there is a long standing rivalry between the two local High Schools and on Friday whatever ill will was lying dormant flared up and erupted. Weapons, including bush knives, other sharp objects, catapults and sticks were used in several confrontations between the two sides over the afternoon. Apparently the students from Goroka Secondary – threatened a teacher and ransacked the school’s gardening and tool shed – in a bid to arm up when they realised that the lads from Bena were on their way.

At around 2:00pm we could hear shots being fired from the Hospital. Rumours suggested that the two schools were at it yet again. At around 3:00pm I decided to stand out the front of the Hospital to try and gather some more details – one of two doctors I was chatting with told me that one injured school kid had already been attended to in Emergency and they were expecting more.

When I got home later that afternoon Eli told me a full on clash took place in the street right out the front of our home. She mentioned that catapults were running hot and some of the stones being tossed were hitting some of the roofs and fences of nearby homes. The police intervened and used tear gas to disperse the two mobs.

On the Saturday a different set of faces but basically a similar plot. Two local rugby teams alongside their supporters decided to fight it out at the National Sports Institute (NSI) after a try was disallowed during the last few minutes of the match. The playing fields of NSI are just around the corner from our home – so once again the locals from West Goroka got cheap front row seats to the action and free entertainment.

If there’s one thing I have learned and learned well in PNG – that is to avoid places when the crowds begin to throw stones and rocks. It’s OK to watch from a distance – which we did yesterday – but as soon as the mob start to head in your direction – start running! I have witnessed enough mob mobilisation and flying stones to understand the need and willingness to move at a moments notice.

The current law and order problem is not new and neither is it unique to Goroka – it’s typical of all PNG towns and is  slowly getting out of hand. I’m not sure that there’s a great deal that authorities can do to mitigate the situation. The youth involved in most of these troubles are a part of what I refer to as the “Lost/Forgotten Generation”.  Lost – because they are stuck somewhere in between the old ways and new ways – unable to move back (no longer able to or willing to move back to the village) or move forward (education or training in some modern skill or occupation).

If PNG leadership and communities are serious about tackling this issue – they would do well by paying some attention to and addressing the needs of the younger PNG generation. Failure to do so (and in a hurry) – IMHO – will see social issues worsen and crime rates skyrocket well beyond any hope of repair.