Accused killer set free by police

National, Normal
Source:

The National – Monday, January 3, 2011

 By PISAI GUMAR

POLICE in Bulolo have released a man from custody accused of chopping to death a student, a move which has angered family members.

Relatives complained last week that the police also ordered them to release the PMV they were holding as ransom until compensation was paid for the death of the student and the injured cousin.

The victim was a student at the University of Papua New Guinea’s open learning centre in Bulolo.

He was chopped in the shoulder two weeks ago at Namba 8, near Bulolo while travelling from Lae. 

Police in Bulolo said last week that the student and his relative were from Siassi island.

However, an uncle of the dead said last Friday that police had given misleading information.

He identified the dead as Rueben Henry, 27, from Elauru village Wau in the Bulolo district.

He also said that police had released the Enga man, who as the crew of the PMV ordered the trip aborted prompting Henry and the relative to demand a refund for failing to complete the route.

“The ensuing argument led to the killing and maiming,” the relative said.

He added that police also returned the PMV to the owner, an Engan man.

He has assured the public and businesses in Wau and Bulolo that the relatives would not take the law into their own hands.

He said the tension created by the Sepik and villagers of Bulolo town “had not fully subsided”.

“We do not want to fuel the situation with another clash. We want the law to take its course and allow peace to prevail,” he said.

“On the same token, the owner of the PMV and the crew involved have to abide by the law to ensure justice prevails.”