CS officers remember warders who served during B’ville crisis

OFFICERS of the Correctional Service yesterday remembered more than 100 warders sent to serve in Bougainville during the crisis in 1990 where some lost their lives.
Acting CS Commissioner Stephen Pokanis said they suffered the first casualties on Jan 17 during the crisis at the Kuveria Institute in North Bougainville.
His predecessor Michael Waipo was in charge at Kuveria when it was attacked.
Some officers were killed and the institution was burnt down.
It was later closed down.
The remaining prison officers and their families were repatriated back to Port Moresby.
“It was not easy for us as we were not trained for war,” he said.
“We were trained to look after detainees. That was and is still our job.
“But we responded when our government called us to support officers from the police and defence force.”
He said the police and defence force also suffered casualties.