Police Commissioner, Gari Baki, has commended relatives of the two policemen slained in Enga during the 2017 National General Election for their understanding and cooperation in allowing for the Highlands Highway to be reopened today.
The agreement was reached when Simbu Provincial Administrator Mr Joe Kunda Naur, Simbu Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector David Seine Jnr and Jiwaka Provincial Police Commander Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop facilitated the talks to allow normal flow of traffic on the Okuk Highway.
Part of the press statement from Commissioner Baki is reproduced below:
According to my PPCs, the immediate relatives blocked the highway because of lack of immediate investigation by police into the killings of two policemen in line of duty and no official word of condolences and response in reply to their demands issued six weeks ago to Don Polye, Alfred Manase, Governor Peter Ipatas, the Enga Provincial Administration and the PNG Electoral Commission.
Let me assure the relatives of the two policemen who were killed that we are investigating their deaths and will bring to justice those responsible whether directly or indirectly. A team of investigators from Police Headquarters are now in Mt Hagen to travel to Wabag to investigate the killing of my policemen. I will ensure that they are given all the resources needed to complete this investigation and make arrests.
As I mentioned in my previous statement, the Constabulary does not pay compensation for members killed in the line of duty. Nor will we be a party to or support the relatives to seek compensation either from the State or the Enga Provincial Government.
A crime has been committed and we will work towards bringing those responsible to face the full force of the law.
Further, I now call upon the immediate relatives to allow the Constabulary to exercise its obligations in so far as the repatriation and burial of the deceased members are concerned. I want to give them the usual respect the Constabulary accords to members who have been killed in the line of duty.
