Alcohol ban made Xmas, New Year peaceful in highlands, says Tei

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Tuesday 3rd January 2012

By YVONNE HAIP
ACTING Assistant Police Commissioner  for Highlands Teddy Tei has commended regional governors for imposing alcohol bans, saying they led to a peaceful festive season.
But he advised the provincial governments to help fund police operations to enforce the ban.
Tei attributed the general peaceful celebration in the highlands region to the indefinite liquor bans and active police operations.
The peaceful celebrations during the festive season were also a first for this part of the country which, compared to previous years, were often marred by drunken brawls that often turned nasty.
Tei said as far as policing was concerned, liquor was an area of concern and the main contributing factor behind law and order problems in the country.
He commended Southern Highlands governor Anderson Agiru and Western Highlands’ Tom Olga for taking the initiative to ban liquor in their provinces. 
He also appealed to other highlands governors to do the same, adding that governors had to fund operations, because bans would be imposed fully if operations were funded.
Tei commended the people for celebrating peacefully adding that it was time people learned how to conduct themselves in an orderly manner.
He said there were “few disruptions with drunkards who caused nuisance on the streets” but police managed to contain the incidents.
“I encourage people to be responsible citizens and continue in the years to come,” Tei said.