Bodies of mother, son found in razed barracks

POLICE have found the bodies of a mother and her four-year-old son among the ruins of the police barracks razed last Wednesday by thugs in Alotau, Milne Bay.
It brought to four the confirmed deaths in last week’s chaos at the town.
A lawyer with the provincial administration was shot dead by criminals and a gang member died during a shoot-out with police. The lawyer, whose name is yet to be confirmed, was driving in a car with his wife towards the Alotau Elementary School around 6.30pm last Wednesday when shot by a group of men travelling in another vehicle.
The thugs later razed eight homes and a vehicle at the police barracks on Misima Street, looted a shop and damaged an automated teller machine (ATM).
Provincial police commander Chief Inspector George Bayagau confirmed that a gang member was killed and another who was seriously injured and was in the Alotau Hospital Intensive Care Unit.
Police said the bodies of the mother and child were found in the toilet of a police duplex which was one of those razed. The bodies were discovered on Friday morning when PNG Power and the provincial Works unit were clearing the ruins of the burnt homes.
Bayagau confirmed that the mother was from the Goodenough Island who was staying with her uncle at the police barracks.
They thought they were with others who had fled to the mountains during the shootout.
Bayagau praised his five young constables who, although outnumbered by the thugs, fought back bravely.
Bayagau also confirmed that the eight families who lost their homes and properties are living with relatives and church organisations who have come forward to assist.