Kimbe, a ghost town

KIMBE was yesterday described as a “ghost town” as businesses and schools closed after random raids by locals were conducted on Monday night targeting shops and government properties.
West New Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ian O‘Hanlon said the town was deserted after a rampage by people following the shooting to death of 16 inmates on Sunday.
On Sunday, 16 of the 24 inmates who tried to escape from Lakiemata Prison were shot dead, with one injured and in hospital. Seven are still on the run.
West New Britain police commander Superintendent Peter Barkie said the situation worsened between 10pm and 11pm on Monday.
Barkie said while police were containing a group from Section 10, Section One, Gigo and Laleki, another group burnt down the provincial court house and police station in town.
Barkie said police were outnumbered, with the province’s police mobile squad arriving later from Kavugara.
“But our policemen managed to contain the situation throughout the night till morning,” he said.
All schools and business activities in Kimbe town were shut down yesterday as a result.
He said a hardware store was broken into, with valuable items looted and properties destroyed.
Another building was set alight but fortunately the fire was quickly put out to save the families living in it.
Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr said a full investigation would be conducted.
“Responsible officers will be held to account, where unlawful action was taken that resulted in death,” he said.
Tsiamalili said the investigation would be overseen by Correctional Services commissioner Stephen Pokanis and police commissioner David Manning.
Pokanis told The National that the shooting to death of the 16 inmates was a serious matter requiring an internal investigation.
The police will conduct their own.
Pokanis’ comments was in response to a video on social media allegedly by the injured inmates claiming that they had surrendered but were shot instead.
Pokanis said the 24 attempted to escape through the high- risk compound within the prison but were shot at by the prison guards.
Pokanis said seven escapees were still on the run.