Boito tells groups to lay down arms

By PISAI GUMAR
POLICE Minister and Obura-Wonenara MP John Boito is appealing to Morobeans and Highlanders to lay down their arms and work with community leaders and authorities to restore peace in Lae.
“The violence in Lae city has caused a threat not only to citizens in the city but our international community and importantly the economy of the country because Lae is a gateway to five Highlands provinces and Momase, including the Islands region,” Boito said.
In a press conference in Lae with provincial peace committee chairman Joshua Hagai, chief executive officer Patilias Gamato, deputy police commissioner operations Fred Yakasa and Governor Luther Wenge, Boito said that this was not ethnic violence.
“The issue was created over the years but the national and provincial governments failed to address them and ignored the tears and suffering of innocent citizens who suffered from a handful of street vendors and pick-pockets,” he said.
“It accumulated over time and erupted.”
While acknowledging the government for its swift response, Boito said it should focus on the Lae issue to find amicable solutions and lasting peace for the citizens and business community.
“The government understands that those criminal elements that created the issue have gone into hiding and innocent people were targeted and who suffered the consequences of these street vendors.
“On behalf of the government, I send our condolences to those who lost their lives and apology to those who lost their homes and pro­perty.”
In the presence of de­puty Momase police chief Allan Kundi, provincial police commander Peter Guinness, Lae metropolitan commander Chief Supt Nema Mondiai and Kabwum MP Bob Dadae, Yakasa said police would be around to monitor situation until peace was restored.
“Lae being the centre of economic activities, the problem is here to stay therefore effective governing mechanisms need to be formulated in the best interests of all citizens and that should guide and control all activities and citizens,” Yakasa said.
Yakasa instructed the provincial police commanders in Western, Simbu and Eastern Highlands provinces to set up roadblocks along the highway to search any suspicious vehicle travelling to Lae.
Guinness and Mondiai were instructed to mo­nitor highways connecting Lae from Markham, Bulolo, Boana and Bukawa, including the sea ports at Sipaia, Voco Point, DCA and Aigris, in case people were smuggling weapons into the city.
Under the Integral Fighting Act of 1978, Lae was declared a “fighting zone” for three months from last Saturday.
That allows police to search any suspicious person or vehicle without a search warrant and arrest, charge and lock anyone in possession of offensive weapons.
The law means unauthorised meetings are illegal.