The Provincial Police Commander for Northern Province, Lincoln Gerari, has been suspended for 21 days following serious allegations of sorcery-related violence and murder.
Information from the Police Headquarters in Port Moresby state that the PPC was said to have apprehended two men from his home village upon the belief that they were behind a sorcery-related act in relation to a swollen feet.
The two men were taken from the village and were reported to have been beaten up along the way.
Police say one was pronounced dead while the other is now in hospital in critical condition.
Deputy Police Commissioner-Operations, Jim Andrews, says such acts, especially by a senior police officer, are uncalled for in the force.
The director for crimes, Internal Affairs Unit and Police investigators are now in Popondetta to investigate and collect evidence before a charge can be laid against the PPC.
(Loop file pic)