‘Frustrated’ officers lash out at vendors over attack

By JUNIOR UKAHA
MOROBE police say “frustration” drove a group of officers to attack a vendors and people at the Bumayong market outside Lae yesterday morning.
Morobe police commander Superintendent Alex N’drasal told The National that the officers were frustrated over the death of their colleague who was stabbed while responding to a call for assistance received through the police toll free line.
He said police worked under very stressful conditions and the death of a colleague could have a negative effect on their behaviour.
“The policemen were frustrated while rushing from here and there trying to get the suspects,” he said.
Senior Constable Ben Melvin died while attending to a complaint at Busu Mountain in the Nabak local level government.
The incident happened between 8pm and 9pm while people were watching the first State of Origin match.
Adam Basa, a contractor with The National, said officers travelling in about 10 vehicles went to Obu and Busu Mountain to look for suspects yesterday morning.
“They returned to Bumayong and attacked people on the roadside,” Basa said.
“They attacked my two boys who were selling the paper.
“A policeman picked up the newspapers and threw them into a puddle.
“They took some of the remaining newspapers and set them on fire.”
Basa said a couple who tried to intervene were bashed up.
“Bumayong is far away from where the killing happened,” he said.
“If they are looking for suspects they should go to Busu Mountain.
“They attacked innocent people who are trying to make a living.”