Cops, soldiers stood down

By JAMES GUMUNO
POLICE mobile squad 11 and a section of the PNG Defence Force have been disarmed and stood down after a confrontation in Wabag town on Friday.
Enga police commander acting Supt Epenes Nili commended the two commanders of the armed forces for their quick intervention to bring the matter under control.
Nili said the confrontation between them happened on Friday morning.
He was reluctant to elaborate on the incident pending investigation, but said the two armed forces were stood down from their operation in Enga.
“I have set up two investigation teams and they are now conducting the investigations,” he said.
Nili said one team conducted investigation into the mobile squad 11 while another team was doing the same with the section of the Defence Force engaged in the call-out operation in the province.
“The investigations started immediately on Friday and I expect to receive two separate reports by Monday (today) or any time in the week,” he said. Nili said he would follow the recommendation of the investigation teams and charge the members from both sides criminally and disciplinary-wise.
He said the cause of the confrontation would be made known after investigations were completed and not speculate on rumours.
The confrontation caused panic and civilians feared fire exchanges.
“I want to thank the commanders of the two armed forces for quickly bringing the matter under control and disarm them in public at the Wabag Police Station,” Nili said.
He said the security forces would resume their normal duties after the investigation was completed and those causing the problems and identified would be brought out to face the consequences of their act.
Other sections of the Defence Force and police in the province, Nili said, had established good working relations and would continue to work together.
He said Christmas and New Year operations continued, with police and the Defence Force engaged in the operation.