Cops shot, injured in ongoing violence in Porgera
News that matters in Papua New Guinea
Cops shot, injured in ongoing violence in Porgera
PORT MORESBY: About 30 armed men ambushed, shot and injured two policemen who were on crime-prevention patrols in Enga’s Progera on Sunday night (Jan 5, 2020).
The two police men from Mt Hagen’s Mobile Squad 5 were sent there to help restore law and order in the Porgera mine area.
Both critically injured policemen were airlifted here on Monday (Jan 6, 2020) and warded in Pacific International Hotel for treatment.
Details of the ongoing violence and killings in Porgera are found in this report published by The National:
Cops attacked
ABOUT 30 armed men from Hela shot and injured two Mt Hagen Mobile Squad 5 policemen in an ambush in Enga’s Porgera on Sunday night.
Senior Constable Semi Tinga, second in command of the squad, was shot in the right upper thigh and First Constable Andrew Wapi was shot in the head.
According to a police media release, both policemen were in critical conditions (believed to have been caused by loss of blood) and were air-lifted to Port Moresby for urgent medical attention.
The two policemen were deployed to Porgera to help restore law and order in the Porgera Mine area.
Police Comm David Manning condemned the ambush and attack on the two policemen.
“Papua New Guineans should, instead, respect and help policemen who are on duty to uphold law and order,” he said, lamenting that attacks on policemen had been on the rise nationwide recently.
Comm Manning, who was present to accompany the two policemen’s admission to the Pacific International Hospital, said: “This is intolerable.
“The public should not be attacking policemen.
Senior Constable Semi Tinga, second in command of the squad, was shot in the right upper thigh and First Constable Andrew Wapi was shot in the head.
According to a police media release, both policemen were in critical conditions (believed to have been caused by loss of blood) and were air-lifted to Port Moresby for urgent medical attention.
The two policemen were deployed to Porgera to help restore law and order in the Porgera Mine area.
Police Comm David Manning condemned the ambush and attack on the two policemen.
“Papua New Guineans should, instead, respect and help policemen who are on duty to uphold law and order,” he said, lamenting that attacks on policemen had been on the rise nationwide recently.
Comm Manning, who was present to accompany the two policemen’s admission to the Pacific International Hospital, said: “This is intolerable.
“The public should not be attacking policemen.
“The police force is the symbol of State. “It is an arm of the Government tasked with the fundamental role of protecting and serving the eight million people of Papua New Guinea and bringing criminals to justice.
“The continuous attacks on police hamper our efforts to effectively provide the full and wide range of policing services people deserve.
“The number of policemen actually attacked and killed by the public is rising considerably over the last 10 years and this is alarming.
“These attacks cannot continue unchecked, so I appeal to the public to please stop attacking policemen who are there to protect and serve you.”
On the latest attack, Comm Maning said all resources and manpower would be made available to bring to justice those responsible.
“A task force is currently investigating the attack,” he said.
“We are working around the clock and negotiating with local leaders in Porgera to identify and arrest the criminals who clearly have no respect for the law or police.”
Comm Manning promised to ensure that policemen were given all the support required to effectively and efficiently police the nation.
“One priority will be to ensure that policemen are properly trained and equipped.
He said welfare issues, housing, improved terms and conditions, easier access to medical services are some of the issues will be looked into.
“But, I also appealed to all policemen and officers to carry out their responsibilities and duty professionally, without fear, favour, malice or ill-will.
“Our behaviour, conduct and attitude towards the public will also dictate public response and level of respect for us and the force.
“Be firm but fair.
“Do your job honestly and at all times remember that we are servants of the people,” he said, adding that he would also be looking at strengthening the command and control of the force and improving disciple.
Last week, Enga commander Sr Insp Epenes Nili told The National that some 100 policemen from Port Moresby were expected to be deployed to Enga to help restore law and order.
He said he filed a detailed report on the ongoing tribal fighting and killings to Comm Manning and that was why security would be beefed up.
He also said police had identified about 80 suspects involved in the mass killing of six men, women and children in Mt Kare who bodies were found in Pinu River.
However, the national police headquarters in Port Moresby could not be reached for comment on the deployment of the men to Enga.
“The continuous attacks on police hamper our efforts to effectively provide the full and wide range of policing services people deserve.
“The number of policemen actually attacked and killed by the public is rising considerably over the last 10 years and this is alarming.
“These attacks cannot continue unchecked, so I appeal to the public to please stop attacking policemen who are there to protect and serve you.”
On the latest attack, Comm Maning said all resources and manpower would be made available to bring to justice those responsible.
“A task force is currently investigating the attack,” he said.
“We are working around the clock and negotiating with local leaders in Porgera to identify and arrest the criminals who clearly have no respect for the law or police.”
Comm Manning promised to ensure that policemen were given all the support required to effectively and efficiently police the nation.
“One priority will be to ensure that policemen are properly trained and equipped.
He said welfare issues, housing, improved terms and conditions, easier access to medical services are some of the issues will be looked into.
“But, I also appealed to all policemen and officers to carry out their responsibilities and duty professionally, without fear, favour, malice or ill-will.
“Our behaviour, conduct and attitude towards the public will also dictate public response and level of respect for us and the force.
“Be firm but fair.
“Do your job honestly and at all times remember that we are servants of the people,” he said, adding that he would also be looking at strengthening the command and control of the force and improving disciple.
Last week, Enga commander Sr Insp Epenes Nili told The National that some 100 policemen from Port Moresby were expected to be deployed to Enga to help restore law and order.
He said he filed a detailed report on the ongoing tribal fighting and killings to Comm Manning and that was why security would be beefed up.
He also said police had identified about 80 suspects involved in the mass killing of six men, women and children in Mt Kare who bodies were found in Pinu River.
However, the national police headquarters in Port Moresby could not be reached for comment on the deployment of the men to Enga.
Comments
Post a Comment