By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
A Joy Rider got killed during a confrontation with suspected transnational criminals when on sea patrol with PNG Defence Force soldiers in Western province, Chief of PNGDF Major General Mark Goina says
“That civilian was not engaged with PNGDF soldiers to assist soldiers while on border operations.
He just hoped on the dinghy at Daru Island with the soldiers and went with them to attend to a report of suspected illegal fishing at a village on the main land. Unfortunately during an encounter with the suspects, he fell into the sea and the outboard motor ‘s propeller sliced him, leading to his death”.
Maj Gen Goina said they usually engaged villagers as casual staff to become dinghy operators. “But the deceased was not part of our civilian casual staffs. He just got onboard with the soldiers and this unfortunate incident occurred.”
Meanwhile source said that the deceased received serious laceration on his body when the dinghy ‘s outboard motor engine’s propeller slashed him.” He was the dinghy operator for the dinghy that was transporting PNGDF soldiers to conduct a surprise raid at Katawa village to apprehend Indonesian traders. The Indonesians were illegally at Katawa to buy Becedemers. They were brought there by Katawa villagers.”
The source said that soldiers went there on Good Friday night (08th April 2023) about 8.30pm to apprehend those Indonesians.
“However the Indonesians were tipped of that the soldiers were coming to Katawa and immediately got into their dinghy to escape. But the soldiers intercepted them and gave warning shots for them to stop and surrender .Out of panic the Indonesians jumped over board and their unmanned dinghy sped out of control towards the soldiers and ramp their dinghy.
The soldiers also went over board and unfortunately the dinghy’s outboard motor’s engine propeller sliced the deceased. The soldiers managed to right up the dinghy and rushed the deceased to Daru General Hospital. Unfortunately he died of loss of blood.so when the deceased ‘s relatives heard of his death, they rampaged through the town”.
Police Deputy Commissioner for Operations Dr Phillip Mitna said the deceased, was identified as David Kowani Miki, age 20 years from Tureture village in South Fly District Western Province. “His death on Saturday night (09th April) led to looting and damaging of public properties by angry relatives and opportunities in the township of Daru. Swift response by local police contained the situation. An investigation into the death is currently underway.
