Police

Police had to use force and remove logs and drums from the road block.

It is understood that the road block was set up because of Government's reluctance to meet a compensation demand.

Waima village Chief Arthur Perua said their demand have not been met for three years now.

They demanded for K20 million after a police vehicle ran over an old woman in the village.

Perua, who is the deceased women’s brother said the government only paid them K20,000.

More updates to come.

Moresby North East Returning Officer, Thomas Rango confirmed the arrest of his ARO Edward Peter which prompted a brief suspension of counting

Rango however assured supporters, scrutineers and the general public that counting progressed well and will commence again following today’s 64th count.

Moresby North East electorate counting will resume at 8am tomorrow, Monday 17th July.

Meantime, Rango says that the Peter was taken into police custody for wearing a police issued coat at the counting venue.

A total of 290 Security personal, including the Rapid Response Unit will be assisting to provide security at the five counting venues.

EÑB Provincial Police Commander, Joseph TABALI, says his security officers are ready and set to ensure counting runs well without any major security concerns.

He further added that a total of four arrests have been made in relation to the election during the polling period in the province.

Tabali has assured police presence to be at the counting venues for the open and regional seats.

Justice Lawrence Kangwia, who was at Stop N Shop Rainbow at around midday today, was stabbed by armed robbers, who stole his keys and escaped in his vehicle, with cash from the supermarket’s cashier.

According to Inspector Mark Mosinakave, Justice Kangwia, who is Kavieng’s resident judge, was reaching for his key in his pocket when he was stabbed.

Insp Mosinakave said the suspects then fled in his vehicle in the direction of Baruni road.

However, they were forced to abandon the vehicle after the engine seized along the road towards the Telikom station.

Police in Gerehu caught the suspect along the Baruni road after the incident at around midday today.

Inspector Mark Mosinakave, who was at the scene, said four suspects robbed the supermarket and escaped in a stolen vehicle, which belonged to Justice Lawrence Kangwia.

Insp Mosinakave said the suspects stabbed Justice Kangwia in the shop, removed his keys from him and drove towards the Baruni road.

Commander Ben Turi claims his predecessor has a personal grudge against him, hence his call for Turi to be sidelined.

This follows allegations made by Bawa and other candidates, including Steven Kilage, who alleged that Turi was aware of an assault on them and their supporters but did nothing about it.

However, Turi said these allegations are just hearsay – what he did is only be in command of law enforcers who, by all means, will carry out and continue enforcing the law.

The incident happened sometime around 11.30pm.

However, NCD metropolitan superintendent, Commander Ben Turi, says there is no need for distress.

“We were firing to disperse the crowd,” he tells Loop PNG.

“People were gathering around the area; it was overcrowded. We had to chase everyone away.”

This happened after NCD’s one-day polling. As electoral officials and security personnel packed up and transported the materials to the complex, vehicles loaded with people also followed suit.

Police had no choice but to resort to that tactic.

Metropolitan superintendent Ben Turi says police presence will be beefed up, especially near the largest settlements in the city like Morata, Wildlife area, Eight-Mile and Nine-Mile. Roadblocks should also be expected at every entry point of the three electorates.

“The three zone commanders will make sure that there is no overcrowding at the polling booths. You only stand in a queue to vote,” says Turi.

These boxes belonged to the Awi-Pori LLG, in the Koroba-Lake Kopiago District, and another LLG from Tari-Pori District.

Provincial Police Commander Michael Welly told TVWan news that the ballot papers for the LLG in Tari-Pori were mistakenly placed in the ballot boxes belonging to Awi-Pori LLG.

PPC Welly says this led to the boxes being destroyed in Tari town to avoid any tampering.

Yapu said people should be allowed to exercise their democratic rights to cast their votes without undue influence, threat or fear.

He is asking for the continuous support and corporation from the people in ensuring a free, fair and safe election is conducted in the province without any disruption.

He said the campaign period which ends today has been quiet and peaceful so far and wants this to continue into polling and counting.