Hela police ‘will’ deny bail in arrests over illegal firearms

By JAMES GUMUNO
POLICE bail will not be allowed to people arrested for alleged possession of illegal firearms and ammunition in Hela, the new provincial police commander says.
Chief Superintendent Martin Lakari told The National yesterday that police would not entertain bail applications from people arrested and charged with possessing illegal firearms and weapons.
“We will allow the court to decide that and not the police like in the past,” he said.
Police refused to release a man arrested and charged with alleged possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
Lakari said that police, during a stop-and-search exercise in Tari town on Sunday, arrested David Kia, of Kupari village near Tari.
He said that Kia was arrested and charged with possession of a pistol and five rounds of ammunition.
He was brought before the Tari District Court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Lakari said the matter was adjourned to April 24.
He said people carrying bush knives or axes into Tari town would be treated similarly.
“Tari town is for everyone. I do not want to see people arm themselves and come into town to look for their enemies to kill them,” he said.
“Tari now is not like what it used to be in the past, when we say enough is enough, people must cooperate with us and let’s change for better.”
He added that a mini police operation carried out in the province to clean it up from March 19 would continue for some time.
Lakari asked people to embrace peace for better development and change.