Engans fear ‘arrest, not death’

ENGA commander Acting Supt Epenes Nili says Engans do not fear death but they fear arrests and going to jail.
“That is why we will now start arresting people for minor offences. In the past, we were lenient but law and order problems did not ease,” he said.
Acting Supt Nili, a local himself (from Wapenamanda), said when petty crime offenders were arrested and detained in a police lock-up, “it raised eyebrows”.
“This will show all that we mean business as we strive to ensure law and order in the province,”he said.
“This should also dissuade others from getting involved in criminal activities.
“My order is out to all policemen and women in the province to treat minor offences and offenders seriously. Have them arrested.”
Acting Supt Nili said there had been too many public fights but no arrests were made.
“With immediate effect, all policemen and women must initiate arrests, no matter how minor the case”.
He said that minor offenders like couples fighting in public should be arrested and charged under the Summary Offence amended Act.
“The law must rule in Enga. If we cannot address littering in Wabag town, street sales or street fighting, then there is a problem,”he said.
“Police had cleared Wabag town of betel nuts and informal street markets and this must continue this year.”
“Now I am calling on business or property owners to remove high iron roofing fencing around their premises in Wabag town.”
Nili urged all to wash up and dress up before coming to town.
He reminded all, including his men and women, that “when we start addressing small issues, big problems would fall in line.”
He appealed to all to respect the rule of law.