Top cop warns against offensive weapons

By SENT TIMBI
MT Hagen police this week arrested and charged 11 youths for being in possession of Asian-made yet dangerous bayonets sold in Asian retail outlets in Mt Hagen city.
Six youths are out on K400 police bail each as of yesterday while five others are locked up at the Mt Hagen police cells awaiting formal charges to be laid against them, according to Metropolitan Supt Theodore Muriki.
He told The National yesterday that the ninja bayonet weapons confiscated by his men were seen as very dangerous and offensive.
Supt Muriki said that the youths were caught with the offensive weapons slung inside their trousers near the Mt Hagen National Court House during a road block and spot check.
The road block and spot check was conducted by police to ensure a smooth hearing of the election petition between Western Highlands Governor Tom Olga and former prime minister Paias Wingti.
Supt Muriki said that the ninja bayonets were first to be introduced by the Asians in the Highlands city, and it was not known whether customs officials allowed the entry of such weapons to be sold in the stores.
“It’s a sports weapon to the Asians but to Papua New Guineans, it is a very dangerous weapon which can be used to kill or attack people,” Supt Muriki said.
“These ninja bayonets should be taken to the Consumer Affairs Department to be checked by its officials to see if they were worthy for sale.
“If the relevant authorities confirm that these knives are illegal and pose a threat to the general public, then legal measures should be sought against its dealers and have them removed from the shelves.”
He appealed to the general public and Western Highlanders not to take offensive weapons to Mt Hagen city, especially during the period of the current court battle between Mr Olga and Mr Wingti.