Girls, woman raped

By REBECCA KUKU
THREE girls and a housewife were raped when a group of armed thugs stormed into Porgera’s mining town, setting fire to properties after security personnel left for Wabag to escort ballot boxes there.
Families have started leaving Paiam town fearing for their safety, while businesses want an immediate Government intervention.
Porgera chamber of commerce and industry president Nick Pakea said the armed men walked into the town soon after security personnel left the Paiam police station for Wabag with the ballot papers.
They started setting fire to government properties and houses at around 8pm. “The mayhem and destruction continued until 9am (Saturday),” he said.
“On Saturday afternoon, they returned, burning down the Porgera Secondary School classrooms.
“Some of the criminals broke into houses, raped three girls hiding in one of the houses.
“In another house, a woman was raped in front of her husband.
“Then they demanded K500 from the husband for her life.
“Porgera has gone to the dogs.
“The Government needs to intervene now.
“More funding must be put into sending additional (police and military) manpower with enough resources.”
Pakea said the criminals also entered the Porgera mining site and burnt mining equipment.
“All public servants including health workers, teachers, bank staff, local policemen and women and their families have started leaving Porgera for their safety,” he said.
“Even businesses have closed and many are considering leaving for good.
“We appeal not only for the business community but also on behalf of the people to the government to intervene immediately before more lives are lost, more women and girls are harmed and more children are left homeless.”
Provincial police commander George Kakas could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Additional security to be deployed: PM

PRIME Minister James Marape says another 500 policemen and soldiers are being assembled for deployment to hotspot areas where General Election 2022 (GE22) violence has erupted.
“Police are investigating and those responsible, including GE22 candidates, for destroying and burning government and public properties will face the law,” Marape said in a statement on Saturday.
“Marape said the additional security personnel would protect key institutions, sites, assets, and government and public property such as Porgera, Hides, Kutubu and other key installations.
“The Police Commissioner has been instructed to follow this through. We will not brush aside these acts under the cover of GE22 to be treated lightly.
“We will work on every evidence, including social media postings, case-by-case, and electorate-by-electorate.
“You cannot break the law and live in our country, whether you are a candidate, incumbent MP, supporter or an electoral staff member.
“I want to warn candidates nationwide to control their supporters.
“Control your villages. Control the areas of influence you come from in the country. You are contesting to show leadership.
“You are not contesting to demonstrate frustration, to break laws, to become warlords, thugs and criminals.
“We have given instructions to the police to compile evidence on every incident of law breaking.”

Manning warns of failed election in Enga

POLICE Commissioner David Manning warns that General Election 2022 (GE22) for Enga may be declared failed if the violence, deaths and destruction continue in the province.
“There is an upsurge in lawlessness in the last 72 hours in parts of Enga,” he said.
“A joint task force comprising of military and police personnel will be established and deployed to Enga at the earliest to restore law and order.”
Manning also revealed that 15 GE22 candidates in Enga were being investigated for their role in election-related violence.
“Someone must be held responsible for the deaths and destruction in Enga.
“These candidates, these so-called leaders, were silent when the death and destruction began and have remained silent since.
“God help us if this is the calibre of the ‘leadership’ that is being put forward for the people of Enga.”
Manning has been in the Highlands since day one of polling.
“The situation in Enga is very serious and I have grave concerns for the lives of many innocent people there who have become victims of barbaric and animalistic attacks,” he said.
“I have always maintained that the electoral process must be jointly delivered in partnership with the people.”
Unfortunately, certain candidates do not think this is the way GE22 should be delivered.
“Reading through the reports on the situation on the ground, it is frustrating and sickening to note that known candidates and their supporters have deliberately attacked opposing candidates and their supporters to influence a favourable outcome.
“To think that these candidates are considered to be highly educated and have successful careers, married and have children of their own, condone such violent acts by their tribesman and supporters is sickening.
“I have conveyed my concerns to the prime minister (James Marape) as well as the Chief of the PNG Defence Force (Major-General Mark Goina).
“We have resolved to establish a multi-task force to enforce the law in Enga immediately and to also secure the Porgera mine.”