Killing prompts locals to destroy firm’s properties

MORE than K1 million worth of properties belonging to a construction company were damaged, including the burning of four vehicles, after a local was shot by a soldier, police say.
Western Highlands police commander Chief Inspector Jacob Kamiak said locals burnt the vehicles and damaged equipment including an excavator and a crusher owned by the Chinese company Covec costing more than K1 million at Tambul.
He said locals retaliated after one of them was shot by a soldier during a confrontation.
Soldiers are providing security during the construction of the Tambul-Mendi highway.
The incident happened on March 3 at Laigam village near the Covec camp when a soldier questioned locals travelling in a car why they swore at them. Locals tried to disarm the soldiers who then fired warning shots in the air.
Kamiak said despite the warning shots, locals still pressed forward resulting in one being shot on the leg.
More locals then joined and moved towards the Covec camp where the destruction began.
Kamiak said more police officers arrived but locals refused to cooperate with police. On Monday, he led a team of mobile squad officers to demand their surrender.
He said arson and damage of property were criminal offences.
“Covec is an international company delivering service to the people and they should respect its properties as it had nothing to do with the earlier incident,” he said.
He said police would continue to investigate the two incidents and arrest those responsible.