Alert for origin violence

 POLICE in Eastern Highlands will be on a special operation tomorrow to prevent State of Origin rugby league-related violence in the province.

Provincial police commander John Kale  told The National yesterday that drunkards, trouble-makers, traffic offenders and petty criminals would be targeted. 

The operation follows the death of a policeman attached to the Mobile Squad 14 of Goroka in Kama, Eastern Highlands, during the second Origin match two weeks ago.

The late Const Tom Inamu, 30, from Kongi Two in Daulo, was allegedly attacked and killed by unidentified members of the public around 10pm on June 17, along Kama-Bihute Road.

Kale warned drunkards that police would not be easy on them.

He said people should not be consuming alcohol in public.

He said the operation was to prevent the same problem from happening. 

“We don’t want the same problems to happen again,” Kale said.

“Instructions have been given out to all the police station commanders and rural commanders for the operation.

“The community must behave. The State of Origin is for two hours only so people must celebrate responsibly and go home.” 

Kale appealed to liquor outlets to comply with their licences.

He said liquor outlets should not to operate after hours.

He said police would not hesitate to arrest liquor distributors who operated beyond their trading hours.

Kale said all his policemen would be involved in the special operation. 

He urged the community to stay away from trouble during the State of Origin match.

He said those, who would be drinking at that time should drink responsibly and at the right place. 

Meanwhile, Kale said police would deliver the body of Inamu to his relatives on Thursday.

He said police had no grudges with the people of Kama in Eastern Highlands but had burnt down a number of houses to show their anger over the death of their colleague.