Man claims loss of eye from police beating

 A FATHER of five children and husband to two women claims he lost an eye after he was attacked by two police officers in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.

Paul Hu, from the Moge Komunga tribe and who works as a city ranger with the Mt Hagen City Authority, said he was attacked by two police officers at around 10pm on Feb 2 at the works compound.

Doctors at the Goroka Base Hospital removed his left eye on Feb 10 when he was treated there after the attack.

Hu said after returning from Goroka he was asleep at his cousin’s house in the works compound when the officers entered the house looking for beer. 

His  brother usually sells beer from his home.

He said he was surprised when he was attacked by the officers who seemed to be intoxicated.

“I am not a criminal. I never have been locked up in a police cell in my life,” he said.

“All community leaders and tribesmen know me very well that I am a law-abiding citizen and they have more respect for me.”

He said there were other officers waiting in a vehicle outside.

He was taken to Hagen Hospital that same night but was referred to the Goroka Base Hospital.

Hu spent three weeks in Goroka where he had his left eye removed at the eye clinic.

“I have three children from my first wife and two from my second wife. 

“Police have now made it difficult for me to look after my family,” he said.

Provincial police commander Supt Martin Lakari said he was not aware of the incident and urged Hu to go and see and him.