MUKAH: Three longhouse chiefs were among five people arrested in connection with a brawl between a group of men and villagers of a longhouse in Sungai Arip, Balingian.
The 26-year-old victim, who is the member of the group, was killed in the incident that occurred on Monday.
The five men, aged between 18 and 65, were arrested from a housing estate in Sungai Arip, Balingian yesterday to facilitate police investigation into the case.
Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Dev Kumar said police also seized two pump guns and several rounds of ammunitions when they picked up the suspects.
He did not elaborate if the any of the pump guns seized was the murder weapon that killed the 26-year-old man, who was believed to have succumbed to gunshot wound on his torso and slash injuries to his head.
“Several items believed that could assist in the probe have also been seized.
“The police are the midst of identifying those who witnessed the brawl that occurred between the victim and his group of friends and the villagers.
“We advise residents of the longhouse, who saw the incident, to come forward and help police to investigate the case,” said Dev, in a statement, today.
A total of eight people have been arrested in connection with the case since Monday. All suspects will be remanded until next Wednesday.
Dev added the police is also in the midst of tracking down remaining members of the group, who was involved in the 5.30pm brawl.
Among those sought by the police to assist probe in the case are: Luis Lawrence, 46; Gleneker Julin, 25; Jeefargeless Roseph, 35, and Freddy Merungei, 30.
Dev, in the statement, also reprimanded irresponsible netizens for making wild speculations on the incident in the social media. Their follies, he said, will not serve any benefit but disrupt public order and police investigation into the case.
On this matter he said, the police will take necessary actions if needed against quarters spreading false news and provoking the public.
“We do not want irresponsible quarters to cause panic since the situation in Sungai Arip is under control.”