Hela police have identified 20 men as suspects in relation to the death of a police officer near Tari, last week.
Provincial Administrator, William Bundo, said the incident is unfortunate but calls on the police hierarchy to assist in apprehending the suspects quickly.
This was Bundo’s response when asked on the guarantee of safety for law enforcers who are serving in Hela.
The Provincial Administrator said the suspects involved in the recent death of late sergeant, Phillip Halupa last Thursday are known to police.
However, no arrests have yet been made.
The incident occurred at Ambua Gap, about 20 minutes’ drive out of Tari town.
Initial police reports state that deceased was a commander of a Highway Patrol Unit in Hela and was on duty when he was gunned down.
The Hela Provincial Administration admits that it facing big challenges in Law and Order.
Currently, the province only has 60 regular Police officers.
Most have left the province after the death of two other policemen in late 2017.
Hela police are expected to conduct a raid in the area where the suspects live, if the relatives do not surrender suspects within the 48-hour deadline.
