Man charged with attempted murder

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
A 30-YEAR-OLD man in Manus has been charged with attempted murder and detained at the Lorengau police station.
Manus police commander Chief Insp David Yapu said David Malih Pokanas, on April 28, allegedly attacked a community health worker at an aid post in Karun village in the Nali Sopat Penabu local level government.
Yapu said Pokanas allegedly slashed the abdomen and hand of the health worker.
He said the victim was rushed to the Lorengau hospital by villagers.
Yapu said the incident was reported to the police who arrested and charged the suspect, who is from Karun village. Pokanas is expected to appear in court soon.
Meanwhile, Yapu said cells at Lorengau police station were overcrowded with detainees that had been arrested during the state of emergency.
He said there were 150 detainees currently in the cell.
Yapu said most of the suspects court files were not ready.
He said once the files were ready they would appear in court and that would see a decrease in the number of detainees.