ESP police applaud peace during funeral

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
POLICE in East Sepik have thanked the people for maintaining law and order during the mourning period for Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
Provincial police commander Supt Albert Beli said since the announcement of his death three weeks ago, not one single major criminal activity was reported.
“The province started organising themselves when news reached us of his passing,” he said.
“It got quiet. People began cleaning the town and highway.
“He wanted unity in the province and unity is there.”
He thanked the police support unit from Lae which returned home yesterday.
“It was teamwork and it showed when we went out and worked together. To the policemen from Lae and Mt Hagen, thank you.”
Supt Beli urged the people in the province to continue keeping the peace and working with police.
“It (should) not be just a one-off situation to clean the town and not make trouble,” he said.
“It has to continue. The unity shown was excellent.”
He also thanked the people including visitors to Wewak for observing the liquor ban.
“Thank you all the visitors for gracing us with your presence and for following the rules and regulations we had set to avoid issues.”