ENGA Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Steven Harris says the message of the Gun Amnesty is clear: illegal firearms must be surrendered now, or the law will be applied.
PPC Harris said law and order is not negotiable and those who possess illegal firearms should take advantage of the amnesty while the opportunity remains.
“This amnesty is an opportunity provided by the National Government and supported by the Enga Provincial Government for people to surrender illegal firearms safely.
“Anyone who chooses not to surrender illegal guns should understand that police will enforce the criminal law diligently and methodically. If people resist police or fire upon officers, as they have done already during my tenure, they will be met with lawful and decisive force and will face the consequences of that decision” PPC Harris said.
PPC Harris also addressed violence often described as ‘tribal fighting’ in Enga Province.
He said custom played an important and respected role in Papua New Guinean society, but the killing of women, children and elderly people, and the destruction of government property and State assets, was not customary.
“Real warriors do not slaughter women, children or old people. Those who do so are not warriors, they are criminals committing serious offences under the laws of Papua New Guinea. The criminal law of Papua New Guinea must always come first where serious offences occur.
“The Supreme Court has made it clear that compensation under ‘kastom’ (custom) does not replace the criminal law. Compensation may be relevant in sentencing, but it is not an alternative to prosecution, and it cannot excuse serious violence,” PPC Harris said.
He said this principle was confirmed by the Supreme Court in Kovi vs The State, which emphasized the sanctity of human life and that no amount of compensation can restore life lost.
PPC Harris also noted that the same principle continues to be applied by the courts.
“In a recent National Court decision: Talumb, Justice Ellis reaffirmed that compensation is not an alternative to the criminal law and cannot be used simply to buy a lesser sentence. Kastom may help restore peace between communities, but criminal conduct must still be dealt with by the courts.
“Kastom is respected and plays an important role in
maintaining peace in our communities. However, it cannot be used as a shield to avoid responsibility for criminal behavior,” PPC Harris said.