2 dead in Lae clash

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By PISAI GUMAR
LAE police will find out how two men, one a student, died during a clash with police officers at a village where they were called to investigate an arson case on Sunday.
Provincial police commander Alex N’Drasal said officers from the rural patrol and response unit had travelled to Munum village in Wampar, Huon Gulf district, Morobe to investigate an arson case in which properties worth about K50,000 were razed.
“However, youths started shooting at police who took cover then retaliated,” he said.
He said a man was injured in the exchange. When police, after dropping off the wounded man at the Nadzab Health Centre, returned to the village, the locals had blocked the road with trees.
“Lae Met Supt Anthony Wagambie Jr and I drove to the site and talked to the locals. Police used a chainsaw to clear the fallen trees,” he said.
“Police picked up another person hiding in bush who shot at a police vehicle, damaging the windscreen.”
He said the officers might have roughed him up as reports from the Wampar Health Centre stated that he had died from a fractured spleen.
“But we will confirm that from the post-mortem. I am still waiting for the village leaders to come to my office for further discussions and investigation to be conducted.”
The two men were Angkef Lazarus, 28, and Kwaise Gaius, 19, who was in grade 8 last year.
The Munum villagers want K100,000 bel kol (peace) compensation to meet the funeral expenses of the two.
Lazarus’ father took his body from a swamp where he was allegedly shot, to the Wampar Health Centre Munum where he was pronounced dead. Village leader Roy Tepo said the villagers in frustration fell trees to block the road before police returned.
Village leader Bob Wazob alleged that when police returned, they started shooting at locals who fled in all directions.
Wazob, Obless Gabmana, Siro Obless and Abuap Terry alleged that they witnessed Gaius’ death after he was dealt with by police officers.
Meanwhile, N’Drasal urged the Munum village leaders to educate their youths about respecting the law.
“Last Thursday, police conducted a raid and apprehended five suspects with ammunition at Munum. Then on Sunday, we experienced an arson case which police were engaged to investigate.”
Meanwhile, Munum Primary School head teacher Utak Apeke said classes had been suspended indefinitely.
“The children’s learning is affected because children feared police uniforms as if they were going to war, shots being fired and people run everywhere in fear of their lives,” Utak said.

One thought on “2 dead in Lae clash

  • These people in BLUE always think that there are above the law. There must be an investigation in to this incident and if the officers are guilty the prosecute them to allow justice to prevail and ease the burden of loss for the families of the victims. The Nation is so tired of hearing police brutality which results in deaths.

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