By BENSON WEMA
POLICE Commissioner David Manning made a strong call to the Enga Provincial leaders and local leaders to take full responsibility in addressing the ethnic killing in their province.
He made this statement following the high tension of tribal fights in wapenamanda, which has caused massive deaths.
“There is absolutely no excuse for this senseless violence that has caused a lot of deaths and ruined the lives of many families and further harm the reputation of Enga and the Nation.
“The total number of deaths is till being assessed as police recover further remains from scrubland,” Manning said.
Mr. Manning confirmed that he has increased security personnel to the team that were deployed to Enga Province on Sunday 17th February.
He further added that investigation is still in progress and police are working tirelessly to ensure the extent of what has transpired is discovered with full report.
Prime Minister James Marape said it is not that the government is not doing anything to address such situations.
“I take full responsibility as the head of this government, and so we have taken a holistic look into the entire law and justice sector allocation,” he said.
PM Marape admitted that lawlessness is high in the country and the government took full responsibility to fund police and defence force.
He therefore urged all citizens to also take full responsibility upon themselves.
Meanwhile, PM Marape said security personnel have been advised to use all legal measures of force whilst being in the operation as they hope to completely resolve the issue.
“This includes the RPNGC mobile unit personnel and PNGDF soldiers.
“They have clear instructions that they must use any level of force required to prevent further violence and payback which includes the use of up to deadly force when the lives of civilians or security personnel are threatened.”
PM Marape said in the conflict areas, security forces and police operations will continue its operation and will work closely with the leaders of Enga provincial government as well as the community leaders to ensure tensions of the tribal killing is reduced.
“Most importantly it is the influence of the provincial and local leaders on their communities that will prevent this violence and can restore calm as provincial leadership is a tool for a long-term peace in the province.”
