Cops probe policemen over death

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By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
WEST New Britan police are investigating three of their own officers after the death of a youth allegedly caused by police at section 10, Kimbe, early on Thursday.
Robin Nasar was returning home after a night of drinking when a police officer allegedly shot him in the stomach, resulting in his death on the verandah of his family home in front of his older brother and his father.
Francis Nasar said his brother was returning home and had with him his bag and a shirt.
“He was just drinking on his own and made it into the yard when an officer followed him, kicking open the gate, and shot him,” he said.
According to the family, the police officers had been chasing three youths when they lost them.
Two of the officers got off the vehicle and walked down the road hiding in a flower bed directly opposite the family home.
“My brother did not know what was happening, he arrived home after the initial chase, he walked into the yard, threw the gate shut and walked off, I turned and I walked off when I saw him in the yard,” Francis said.
“That’s when the officer was at the gate and I heard the gun (shot), my brother made it to the stairs of the house, before collapsing and dying on the verandah.”
On Friday morning, section 10 residents gathered in front of the Nasar family home and walked with the body. They tried to make their way to Kimbe town, when police stopped them.
The whole community had wanted to go to the police station. They said they wanted to witness the three police officers arrested and charged.
However, acting police station commander Senior Inspector Peter Senginawa met the community and assured them that police would look into the situation.
Police commander Chief Inspector Januaris Vosivai told The National that an investigation into the shooting had started with the officer-in-charge of the provincial criminal investigation division in charge of the case.