Police

NCD Metropolitan Commander, Perou N’Dranou, said at present he does not have a copy of the new road traffic laws.

N’Dranou said while the new Road Traffic Rules have come into effect on the 1^st of June, police throughout NCD are still not familiar with it.

He understands police traffic officers are the only ones aware of the new laws.

N’Dranou said before police can enforce these laws, they must clearly understand it.

In a Conference at the Police Headquarters this morning, Mr Andrews said two mobile squads totaling almost 70 personnel are currently in Southern Highlands Province while another two mobile squads are on standby to be sent should the need arise. The police operation will be conducted in four phases.

 Mr Andrews also made internal transfer directives so that the Southern Highlands issue can be effectively addressed.

The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary recently revived its Women’s Advisory Network (WAN), which is strengthening the skillsets of members as part of its effort to improve work conditions for female officers and the quality of community police services.

The organisation is volunteer-driven and provides an advocacy platform for police women to address issues such as harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

The Bomana Police Commandant, Peter Philip, this morning served the men their ‘Notice to dismiss’ following the disciplinary review process.

However, only 21 pass-outs turned up to the police college while 16 are still at large.

The 37 police pass-outs were detained on March 17^th at the Bomana police college after they were caught engaging in drunken initiation-like behaviour.

According to the PPC, Gideon Kauke, the locals removed two police vehicles and two weapons from the unit.

Gauke, when confirming the incident, says the police personnel were rescued by another unit while their weapons and vehicles were removed.

He says at present they are now regrouping to consider their next course of action.

The PPC would not say how many men were in the cars at the time of the incident, only stating that the locals involved are believed to be upset over the recent decision by the NEC to suspend the Southern Highlands Provincial Government.

Deputy Commissioner of police operations, Jim Andrews, says the team will be made up of CID, Forensics and two fire officers.

Andrews says the team has been tasked to establish facts into the riots and subsequent burning of the aircraft and property in Mendi.

Earlier this morning, troops set to fly into Mendi via Hagen departed Port Moresby.

Andrews adds that at present, the situation in Mendi is quiet but tense.

The security teams have also reported to be on standby following rumours of convoy of vehicles en route from Kaugua-Erave and Nipa.

Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Jacob Kamiak, said the three had recently broken into a Chinese shop next to the Best Buy Supermarket, held up the shop owner, stole one laptop, two mobile phones worth over K2,000 and walked out with K24,000 cash.

The suspects were later apprehended by the property’s landlord and his boys.

PPC Kamiak said the suspects were beaten badly then handed over to police.

The PPC said the three will be formally arrested and charged after medical examination and treatment.

One was of an elderly woman who was slashed to death while the other was a young man.

Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander, Jacob Kamiak, said the woman was slashed with an axe on her left ear, right cheek and right rib.

She died in the process.

PPC Kamiak said the suspect has been arrested and charged with wilful murder.

That incident occurred in Pila Village, Baia River, on Friday 8^th of June.

The other death was reported on the 9^th of June when a man was found dead in a drain opposite Flyers in Kagamuga.

Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Ben Neneo confirmed his arrest to this newsroom today.

PPC Neneo said Aloi had been charged for dishonestly using the Madang Provincial Government funds for his personal use and official corruption.

He is currently out on a court bail of K4,000.

More updates to follow…

It was dismissed because liability, or who was responsible for the breach, was not established against a timber company, police and others who allegedly conducted the raid.

Andy Asuma is a businessman operating Andy Asuma Trading in a remote location near the Kamusi logging camp in Western Province.

He conducted his business near a timber rights purchase area where Wawaoi Guavi Timber Company Ltd had its logging operations.