Hunger strike still on at Buimo
By PETER MIVA
BUIMO jail remandees continued their hunger strike yesterday despite attempts by jail authorities to persuade them to stop.
They refused to take breakfast, lunch and dinner when the meals were served for the second day yesterday.
Acting jail commander Supt Simon Lakeng said the jail management had talks with the remandee cell leaders yesterday to end their strike.
A team of senior Buimo jail officers led by Supt Judy Tara had gone into town to see the officers of the Public Solicitor, the Public Prosecutor and the National and District courts.
Mr Lakeng said that the team had been given an updated list of 180 remandees awaiting trial and committal proceedings in the two courts in an attempt to find ways to speed up their cases.
He said they tried to meet the court officials at lunch time yesterday but were told that they were busy.
Instead, they delivered a letter to Justice George Manuhu inviting him to the jail in an attempt to address the remandees.
Justice Manuhu is expected to visit the jail today.
By 4pm yesterday, the remandees were still refusing to take food.
Mr Laken said the jail management had tried their best to convince the remandees to end their strike but to no avail.
The remandees went on hunger strike on Wednesday morning in protest over the delay in being served justice by the courts.
They presented a petition two weeks ago to Lae senior resident judge Justice Nicholas Kirriwom, who has brought their grievances to the attention of the authorities in Waigani.
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