Awesa’s comment insensitive, irresponsible: Baki

POLICE commissioner Gari Baki has branded as “insensitive, irresponsible and uncalled for” the suggestion by Imbonggu MP Francis Awesa that Lae Metropolitan Superintendent Anthony Wagambie be removed.
Baki said Wagambie was doing his best to maintain peace, law and order and security in Lae, especially at the University of Technology campus.
Awesa last week accused Wagambie of mishandling the Unitech disquiet which led to the killing of a student in his dormitory on June 25.
The body of the student, Graham Romanong, was taken back to his home in Mendi last weekend.
Baki said Wagambie had acted responsibly and professionally throughout the student unrest and should be commended for it, rather than ridiculed.
He said neither Wagambie nor the police in Lae should be held responsible for the death of Romanong. “This happened inside the campus between the students. Police efforts were concentrated on preventing the problem from spilling over into the streets of Lae and in protecting the campus from outside threats,” Baki said.
He said Wagambie should be commended for his leadership which resulted in the arrest of three of the murder suspects.
Baki said politicians should refrain from meddling in the internal affairs of the constabulary.
He said the decision to replace or transfer police officers rested with the police commissioner.