Relatives of officers killed vow to keep roadblock in place

By JAMES GUMUNO
Aggrieved relatives and tribesmen of one of the two policemen killed in Wabag town during election operations in July say a roadblock in Jiwaka will remain indefinitely.
The Mejipi tribesmen set up the roadblock at Panjen village on the Highlands Highway on Tuesday after no response was received from either the Engan or national government regarding their petition.
Spokesmen John Taime and John Nop told policemen from Mt Hagen yesterday that the roadblock would remain until they got a favourable response from the  authorities.
Taime said they had petitioned Governor Sir Peter Ipatas, Kandep MP Alfred Manasseh, Enga provincial administrator Dr Samson Amean, former MP and Opposition leader Don Polye, Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill over the death of their son, Glen Jimmy, and his colleague from Chimbu, Constable Alex Kopa, but did not receive any response, which made them angry.
He said that setting up the roadblocks, one in Enga, was their last option.
Highlands mobile group commander Senior Inspector Joe Maragil appealed to the tribesmen to remove the roadblock.
Maragil said that Highlands Highway was the lifeline of the Highlands region and they should not hold people and businesses to ransom.