Highlands get extra soldiers

THE Defence Force is sending two more groups of soldiers to the highlands region to help provide security during the election period.
One group will join the joint task force team in Southern Highlands, Hela and Enga provinces.
The second group will be deployed in Eastern Highlands and Chimbu provinces which still have to start polling.
Joint task force commander Lt-Col Ezekia Wenzel said the build-up of military manpower and tightening up of security operations in the areas were based on its assessments on available threats and possible violence during the counting and declaration period.
He also confirmed that military intelligence had identified specific locations in Chimbu and Eastern Highlands with a concentration of high-powered guns and ammunitions.
He said soldiers and police officers on the ground would eliminate the threats before polling commenced in the two provinces.
Wenzel warned criminal elements causing fear through intimidation in the region that they would face the soldiers.
Wenzel is otherwise satisfied with the overall handling of security operations during the election period so far.
He thanked the people for being receptive to the troops in the region.