Lawlessness on the rise after stations closed

 By TONY EDINBURGH

THE closure of police stations in Jiwaka two months ago by health authorities has resulted in an increase in lawlessness in the province.

Councillor Kune Rex of the Konumbka tribe in Minj described the law and order situation as getting out of hand attributing it to the lack of police presence.

Rex said youths were producing, selling and consuming illicit drugs such as marijuana on the streets of Banz and Minj towns.

“This is becoming very common these days. 

“I can remember our people as law-abiding citizens when police were in control,” Rex said.

He said the production and consumption of homebrew had been rife in communities before awareness programmes were conducted.

But youths are back consuming homebrew publicly and causing a nuisance in public places such as Minj Junction market and Banz town.

“I am therefore calling on the provincial government and the police to look into this matter and address it immediately,” he said.

“If it means the provincial government has to spend a substantial amount of money to fix the deteriorating conditions of the police stations and barracks, it has to do it.”