Eluh outlines focus of police detectives sent to SHP

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
Detectives deployed to the Southern Highlands will investigate outstanding cases including the killing of two police officers and the burning down of the Ialibu Secondary School dormitories, State of Emergency controller Thomas Eluh says.
“All the serious outstanding cases will be investigated, including Thursday’s burning down of Link PNG plane, Governor William Powi’s house and the National and District courthouses,” he said.
He said the two police officers were killed in September last year near Mendi during the counting of votes in the national election.
“Detectives from Port Moresby had come earlier to investigate the killing but did not finish due to funding.”
Eluh said other cases included the burning down of three dormitories at the Ialibu Secondary School in March and the killing of a student which were allegedly linked to fighting over the school principal’s position.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said Eluh was a competent senior police officer.
“He had been the assistant commissioner for police for many years. He had many years in the Highlands and elsewhere in the country, particularly in sensitive spots where his leadership was required like police commander in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville,” he said.
“In terms of his engagement as the Southern Highlands administrator, he was brought in there to restructure the provincial administration.
“That includes getting rid of all the ghost names on the public servants’ payroll, getting public servants back to work and he did a commendable job.
“But, of course, the provincial government has to be consulted for the appointment of the permanent provincial administrator.
“The provincial executive council and, of course, PEC chairman Powi have felt that a person from the province could take better charge of the issues on the ground.”