Senior policeman runs amok in Laiagam

By PETER PIA and ANDREW ALPHONSE
A SENIOR policeman went on rampage in the small Engan town of Laiagam last Saturday, firing several shots from an M16 rifle.
No one was shot but he knocked down a bystander and also crashed his vehicle into a businessman’s new UTE.
For two hours, frightened residents remained indoors as the policeman and his tribesmen laid siege to the town.
The situation eased before lunchtime, with businessman Henry Moses urging his tribesmen not to retaliate.
The incident started at about 9.30am when Mr Moses went to the policeman’s property to remove a generator that he said he had left there last year.
He said he was renting the place previously before the policeman ordered him to leave.
An argument ensued and the policeman allegedly assaulted Mr Moses, who is the managing director of
Pusamo Trading based in Mt Hagen.
A member of the Laiagam-based Mobile Squad 14 and two local district officials tried to intervene, but the policeman grabbed his M16 and fired several shots, sending everyone rushing for cover.
The policeman then got into his vehicle and rammed Mr Moses’ UTE.
In the process, he knocked down a man who was later rushed to the Paiam hospital in Porgera.
Enga police commander Michael Chare said he was still waiting for a full report on the incident.
He said he only had “sketchy” details and would need a full report before deciding whether to charge the policeman concerned.
It is believed that last year, the policeman assaulted a public servant following an argument over a piece of land in Laiagam.
Police sources said the policeman had a tendency to take the law into his own hands against anyone that he was unhappy with.
Mr Moses said that after he vacated the policeman’s property, he rented another premises nearby for his business.
He claimed that the policeman was not happy with this and verbally assaulted him, threatened his employees and rammed his vehicle.
“His action was animalistic and uncalled for,” he said, but urged his tribesman not to retaliate.
“I want the law to take its full course and I do not want trouble.”
The National was unable to contact the policeman.