Feet wounds blamed on cop

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
A SECONDARY school student in Madang who was shot on both feet by a police officer will not be enjoying a normal life.
This was the comment from Dr Gabriel Kune, the bone surgeon at Modilon General Hospital, during a second review yesterday.
Student Donald Mara is the son of an ex-policeman who was, according to his account, shot at twice. The first shot caused a 6cmx5cm wound on the right foot and a 3cm hole on the left.
Mara had told police that the officer had pushed him causing him to fall while cocking his gun. After he was shot, the officer assisted him to hospital using a private vehicle.
Provincial police commander Anthony Wagambie  Jr said the officer would be investigated by detectives in Madang and the internal investigation unit.
The officer, however, said he was a long-serving station commander in Ileg, Rai Coast area where the incident occurred and the Alemo junction near Rai Coast is a breeding grounds for criminals.
“People living there are all settlers and the place has been known to be a breeding place for criminals in which I have had two close encounters with,” he said.
On Dec 11, he was returning from Ileg and saw a group of intoxicated youths. He wanted to question them but they fled leaving behind Mara and another man.
He claimed that he had gout and that caused him to slip when he saw someone with a knife approaching.
He said he fired from under the vehicle as the firearm magazine had slipped when he fell.
Donald’s father Arnold Mara has urged schools such as Malala Secondary to consider offering a space to his son because it was close by.
Donald, who is quiet and well-mannered, has been praised by his teachers for his standing in school.