Drinking in public places rife in Namatanai, says Billie

A TWO-week special police operation in Namatanai, New Ireland, has resulted in the arrest of 89 people.
They have been charged with various offences ranging from assault to traffic charges, inciting fights, using insulting words, in possession of stolen property, in possession of dangerous drugs, consuming liquor in public places, fighting, wilful damage of properties, sexual touching and careless driving.
Acting New Guinea Islands divisional commander, Supt Anthon Billie, said that from this recent operation, conducted by a joint team from Namatanai and Kavieng comprising 15 police officers and Namatanai district administrator, Gabriel Towaira, it was discovered that consuming liquor in public was now rife in Namatanai with 20 arrests made.
At Ratubu and Matakan villages, 14 arrests were made for assault, usage of insulting words and possession of stolen property which took place during a recent fight between the two villages.
At Salimun village, a suspect was apprehended for raping a nine-year old girl.
Eleven arrests were made with one for possession of marijuana, nine for drinking in public place, and one traffic offence.
Thirty arrests consisting mostly of offences of consuming alcohol in public place were made at Rapontamon village.
Meanwhile, a woman  in Kavieng died after 30 consuming chloroquine tablets.