B’ville security personnel ready for deployment

National

BOUGAINVILLE police are ready to be deployed for the referendum security operation, says police Deputy Comm and Chief of Bougainville Police Service Francis Tokura.
Tokura, who toured the region over the last two weeks to assess respective awareness activities, expressed satisfaction with the preparations being made so far and is confident of launching security operations early next week.
“I am satisfied. It has been very effective and we have achieved our mission of getting people aware of the security plans that are in place and the dos and don’ts that they need to be aware come the referendum polling day,” Tokura said.
“Despite the delay of funding and other challenges, I am very confident to launch the operation for deployment next week.”
“We already have the regional police assistance mission personnel on the ground in Bougainville and they have taken post in Buka, Arawa and Buin for the operation.
“They are now basically synchronising their plans with the local commanders and are gearing for the deployment,” he said.
Tokura also briefed all the regional commanders and the regional police assistance mission team leaders on the Bougainville referendum security operation order in Buka.
He said the mission for the operation was: “To ensure the Bougainville referendum election delivered safely and fairly, without coercion and fear of oppression, producing a referendum result which is credible and will stand firm when scrutinised concerning its processes and the appropriate legislation.”
Tokura said about 50 personnel from the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary would be deployed to Bougainville to assist the Bougainville police to provide security during that period.
“The 50 personnel will be arriving early next week and will go straight to their respective commanders for deployment,” he said.
Bougainvilleans go into polling on Saturday.