Baker’s men handed to police

Main Stories

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
FIFTEEN members of wanted criminal Tommy Baker’s gang have been handed over to police by leaders of the community they reside in, says Milne Bay police commander Supt Peter Barkie.
“The community leaders handed them over to us in a ceremony on Sunday, with the help of a local non-government organisation (Kedu Foundation),” Supt Barkie said.
The 15 suspects were taken to the Alotau Police Station and interrogated.
Eight were detained for allegedly burning down the Ipi Police Barracks during the clash with police on April 29 and 30.
The remaining seven were released because of lack of evidence but their details were taken. “(We) released them after warning them that they will be arrested if we find evidence against them,” Supt Barkie said.
He said two other communities also wanted to hand over to police members of Baker’s gang living with them.
“It’s good to see communities working with the police to take ownership of the law and order situation in the province,” he said.
“With (such) assistance, we will isolate the gang members from their leaders.”
Supt Barkie also confirmed receiving a National Court order restraining the police and the provincial administration from evicting people living in settlements near Alotau town.
One of them, Steven Nesai, said they had to take legal action when they were told to pull down their homes and leave the settlement they had been living in for almost 40 years.
“We have children attending schools and we have people working in government offices and business houses in Alotau,” Nesai said.
“Our children’s education are being affected.
“Some grades that our children are in are not offered by schools in our districts.
“It will greatly affect our lives (if we are evicted) as we don’t have gardens and houses in our villages.”

One thought on “Baker’s men handed to police

  • The Milne Bay Provincal Government must fight to remove the stay on the eviction order in order for the Police to carry out the eviction order. Illegal squatter settlement must be removed in and around Alotau. They are breeding grounds for criminals. Everyone who doesn’t have regular employment must return back to their village and toil the land and live meaningful life.

Comments are closed.