‘Lethal force’ order annoys MP Namah

By REBECCA KUKU
POLICE commissioner David Manning’s order to policemen to use lethal force is a threat to national security, according to the permanent parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, international trade and defence.
Committee chairman Belden Namah was responding to a statement dated Aug 12 from the police commissioner’s office which authorised the use of lethal force in police operations.
The order sent to members of the police force states: “The approach to stepping up the use of force, including lethal, is part of reconceptualising policing in the country. The focus is reactive as opposed to community policing.” Namah said such orders could incite an uprising similar to that seen on Bougainville.
He warned the Government to avoid “another Bougainville in our beautiful country”.
“It was because of such operational orders and actions by our police that triggered the Bougainville Crisis or the Bougainville Civil War,” Namah said.
“I have fought in that theatre and I know what happened. And I can tell you it is a very painful experience.”
He advised Manning to “rescind this operational order forthwith before it is too late”.
“Our people will meet violence with violence. That’s our human nature.
“The police commissioner should know that by now,” he said.
Namah said that there was no basis whatsoever in the Arrest Act or anywhere else to issue such dangerous operational orders.
“There is no civil war going on or any act of insurgency in the country to warrant any such orders. No terrorist cell has been set up here,” he said.
“The rise in law and order problem is because of indiscipline, break down in command and control and lack of resourcing by successive governments.”