Five suspects arrested over fight, arson

 FIVE suspects have been arrested in relation to a fight between residents of ATS which led to the burning down of a store and damaging of two police vehicles.

Police said two officers were injured when they tried to stop the fight at Seven-Mile, outside Port Moresby last weekend.

National Capital District Police Met Supt, Andy Bawa said he went with his officers to talk to the two groups.

“Two of our vehicles got stoned, the windscreen was broken and two officers were injured,” he said.

Bawa appealed to the settlers not to take the law into their own hands.

“You are not supposed to be attacking officers. They are not your enemies,” Bawa said.

“When people need help in the communities, they quickly ask police to intervene. And when police intervene,our vehicles are damaged and officers injured.”

Bawa appeal to all members of the community in the city to be responsible for their actions and respect police officers.

“You must abide by rules and not take the law into your hands,” Bawa said.

Investigation into the arson is continuing.

“Settlement leaders and settlers have to take responsibility for the two police vehicle been stoned by settlers,” he said.