Criminals target travelling locals

 PEOPLE from Wampar travelling to Lae using the Watut River are being targeted by criminals, according to women’s representative Mary Sual.

She said the people were usually attacked before they reached Zifasing village where they could catch transport to Lae.

Sual, the Wampar local level government women’s representative, said a woman and her baby almost lost their lives in the river after they were attacked just before Christmas.

She said people from Lower Watut preferred travelling across the river to reach Zifasing, then make their way to Lae.

“There were two hold-ups in 2012 and one late last year where a group of mothers was crossing the river to attend a school gathering,” she said.

“They were stopped by criminals. The mother panicked and jumped into the river with her baby.

“These hold-ups will continue and we really need authorities to look into the problem. Many public servants such as teachers and health workers use the same route as locals from Tsilitsili and Wawas.”

She said no one had been arrested so far. The nearest police station is at Zifasing and manned by reserve police officers who are most of the time patrolling the highway.

“We need more younger and energetic police officers at Zifasing and a new police station at this landing area near the Watut river,” Sual said.