PNG soldiers open fire, injure mum, three youths

 News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Police calming down the locals angered by the soldiers’ alleged attack.

PNG soldiers open fire, injure mum, three youths

PORT MORESBY: A mother and three youths were wounded when soldiers and Kerowagi’s Mingende local in Chimbu clashed at the Dux Market on Tuesday (April 20, 2021) morning.

Both police and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force are investigating the shooting.

  

The details of the clash between soldiers and civilians were reported by The National:

Soldiers involved in clash

April 22, 2021The NationalNational

The grader that had its glasses smashed during the clash. – Picture courtesy of STEVEN OTTO

A MOTHER and three youths were wounded when soldiers and Kerowagi’s Mingende locals in Chimbu clashed at the Dux Market on Tuesday morning, Chimbu police commander Supt Horim Piamia says.
“A heavy dumpster was torched and destroyed, roller and grader machines were damaged as well,” Piamia said.
“A soldier and a China Harbour Engineering Chinese employee were among the injured.
Supt Piamia said it was a very unfortunate incident provoked by Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) soldiers under the influence of liquor.
He said five soldiers drove to the market at about 11am.
“They allegedly knocked a 52-year-old man down, then some of the soldiers got out of their vehicle and started hitting bystanders with fan-belts,” Supt Piamia said.
“The locals retaliated by throwing stones at the soldiers, sparking a fight. The soldiers open fired at the crowd.
“A mother and three youths were injured with gunshot wounds.”
Supt Piamia said the soldiers were engaged by the Government to provide security for the engineering firm carrying out maintenance work along the Highlands Highway under the sustainable Highlands Highway investment programme.
“After receiving reports of the incident, police manpower was mobilised to the scene and the situation was brought under control,” he said.
“We have set up a team to investigate the incident and the culprits responsible for sparking the incident will be identified and arrested.”
Supt Piamia said he consulted with the officer-in-charge of the soldiers to provide statements to facilitate police investigators.
“I strongly appeal to community leaders living along the highway to control their youths,” he said.
“Policing law and order is a shared responsibility, community leaders should control their youths and assist the police to ensure there is peace and harmony.”
He appealed to soldiers not to use excessive force and provoke unnecessary situations such as destroying markets.
Eastern end commander Asst Comm of Police (ACP) Anton Billie said he was awaiting a report from Chimbu police.
The PNGDF headquarters, in a response to questions by The National, said: “We are aware of the incident today in Chimbu.
“We are still trying to ascertain the cause of the conflict, whether our personnel were passing through when it happened or if they were directly involved.
“The contingent commander in Mt Hagen is expected to submit a report on the incident to the chief of joint operations who will brief Capt Phillip Polewara.”