By ZACHERY PER
POLICE were called in to break-up a clash between rival groups at the Simbu provincial administration headquarters in Kundiawa.
The clash was over positions in the administration and followed a recent court decision ousting Joe Bal and reinstating Joe Kunda Naur as administrator for the province.
Kunda Naur in one of his first moves sidelined senior public servants who were in the administration.
The changed of positions provoked a confrontation between supporters of the sidelined officers and newly appointed casuals and officers last Tuesday.
Simbu provincial police commander Joseph Tondop said yesterday the frustrated casual employees and supporters of senior managers, who had been side-lined, broke into the provincial administration office and attacked those who had taken up their positions.
Mr Tondop said the confrontation resulted in a security guard suffering bush knife wounds who had to be rushed to the Kundiawa hospital.
He said quick police intervention prevented the clash from escalating.
“We managed to bring the situation under control,” he said.
Mr Naur confirmed that he had sidelined the senior managers from the district administration, saying that he had evidence to show that they (officers) were not appointed on merit.
He said for the past two years the public service machinery in Simbu had been in total disarray and that he was moving to restore control and order.
Mr Kunda Naur said he held a meeting with Supt Tondop and Governor Fr John Garia about the actions he took and was now consulting with the Department of Personal Management (DPM) and Public Service Commission (PSC) on further action.
Meanwhile, Mr Bal had filed a Supreme Court appeal against a National Court decision early last month that nullified the Dec 25, 2005 court decision by the National Executive Council to appoint him as a permanent administrator.