Drivers urged to report incidents

DRIVERS harassed and intimidated by Eastern Highlands police have been urged to report incidents to the regional police commands so that action can be taken to have officers responsible disciplined.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for Highlands command (eastern end) Joseph Tondop said the actions of police using the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic to set up checkpoints, assault, threaten and harass PMV drivers and their crew was illegal.
He said those found to have acted in such a manner would be charged.
ACP Tondop said this after receiving reports of drivers and crews being charged and beaten up by police at separate checkpoints in Eastern Highlands.
According to the drivers and crews, they paid up to K500 in fines a day at various checkpoints at Asaro, Henganofi, Watabung and Kainantu.
The drivers claim police mainly targeted PMVs and trucks coming from Chimbu, Jiwaka, Western Highlands, Enga, Southern Highlands and Hela.