Governor assures normalcy in town

 By MORTIMER YANGHARRY

JIWAKA Governor Dr William Tongamp (pictured), has assured the public that there is normalcy and order in Banz town and surrounding areas after a stray bullet fired by police resulted in the death of a young man last weekend.

Provincial police commander Supt Joseph Tondop earlier said the unfortunate incident happened when drunkards from a nearby village collected fees illegally from vendors at the market and from people doing roadside businesses. 

Police intervened and tried to arrest the drunkards but they resisted. That was when a fight broke out between them, he said.

Tondop reported that a policeman fired several warning shots to disperse people.

But bullets ricocheted off an iron post and killed a young man and injured an old man on the arm, he said.

“I condemn the drunkards and lunatics who wanted to act above the law,” Tongamp said.

“I appeal to the people around Banz and other parts of Jiwaka to refrain from such primitive behaviours.”

He said police were investigating the incident and urged relatives not to take the law into their own hands.

The governor thanked Tondop for acting quickly to solve such a sensitive issue and assured him his support.

Tongamp passed his deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased.