THE law and order situation in West New Britain has spiraled out of control with disruption to business and schools and a shortage of police manpower is not helping the situation at all.
This is the concern raised by Regional MP, Sasindran Muthuvel in his plea to the Police Minister for police assistance over the weekend. Similar sentiments have been raised by local leaders and residents.
The current unrest stems from recent fighting between the youths from Gigo and Works Nambis Settlement. Since then youths from other suburbs within Kimbe town have joined in on the fighting. A number of properties have been destroyed and several youths admitted to Kimbe General Hospital with serious bullet and knife wounds.
Mr Muthuvel said the fight has moved into Kimbe and only few police officers are trying their best to manage the situation but are clearly outnumbered and lacked logistics such as rubber bullets or tear gas.
“As a matter of urgency please send some police or Mobile Squad team from Rabaul as our MS 19 is in Alotau, we are really struggling to contain the situation, more properties have been damaged and they are attacking all vehicles passing through,” Mr Muthuvel said in his message to the Police Minister.
It is understood the Police Minister and Police Commissioner have responded positively and the MS 19 currently in Port Moresby is bound for Kimbe today.
A Peace and Good Order Committee was convened yesterday to strategize ways to address the situation.
Deputy town mayor and ward one councilor, Korak Mekori is appealing to the WNB provincial government to intervene before many lives and properties are lost.
“This is a distress call from section one along bayside and barracks we need some police officers, the fight is just getting out of hand. Houses are being destroyed and commuters have been stoned,” said a resident at Section one.
The situation remains tense.