Continuous violence to civil society by defence force personnel is developing greater distrust between state agencies and citizens.
TransparencyInternationaPNG (TIPNG) raises grave concern on recent media reports of violence to civil society by defence force personnel.
More than twenty people were left homeless aftertheir houses were burnt down tothe ground by military personnel overthe weekend. Farm animals were also slaughtered when severaPNG Defense Force officers, armed with weapons, attacked settlers residing on a private property at 7 mile.
The incident at 7 mile is notthe first bythPNGDF soldiers. thers includethe attack on Vadavada settlers last year where two homes were burnt tothe ground, and anther wasthe UPNG medical students’rsquo; attack in July this year. Beth incidents resulted after soldiers had disagreements with members ofthe public.
TIPNG calls onthPNGDF Commander, Beigadier General Francis Agwi, to come out publicly and state howthe rogue soldiers will be dealt with.
PNGDF superiors were urged to apply proper processes and procedures withinthe military disciplinary codes to punishthe irresponsible soldiers and bringthem to account for the damage caused tothe victims.
Meanwhile, TIPNG encourages citizens to exercisetheir rights by taking disciplinary forces personnel to court and holdthem accountable for their violent actions, rther than allowing public officials to get away with corrupt acts.
Pictured: Homes destroyed and burnt down bPNGDF soldiers overthe weekend at 7mile in Port Moresby.
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