Missing cop dead

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By REBECCA KUKU
SENIOR Constable Nelson Kalimda’s body, who went missing in Tari, Hela, was found yesterday in Margarima after the provincial government put out a cash reward. Provincial police commander Robin Bore confirmed that the body was found at the Andapali River in Margarima, near the Margarima-Kandep road.
“We have brought late Kalimda’s body back to Tari,” Bore said.
Police Commissioner David Manning last night said for those who wear the uniform this is a personal loss.
“This is someone who has a family, who has served with us, below us or above us. He was one of us.
“We swore an oath to serve and we will continue to serve despite this loss
“Ours is a profession that comes with risks.”
Manning said investigations were being led by some of the most capable officers in the Police Force to bring swift justice upon those involved in the death of Kalimda.
“I issue them a clear warning to anyone involved with Senior Constable Kalimda’s death, to not resist arrest when police catch up with them.
“If these suspects threaten police with weapons, our police personnel have full authority to escalate the use force and to use all appropriate means necessary to take control of the situation.
“Police have made two arrests so far and there are four other persons of interest that are the subject of an ongoing search.”
Kalimda was part of a team that escorted exam papers into Tari and went missing on Oct 20.
He was last seen driving out of a guest house in Tari, his car was found last Thursday, a week after he was first reported missing, in a deserted area at the Komo-Hulia district, near Ambua.
Governor Philip Undialu said the provincial government assisted police with fuel and funding in the search for Kalimda.
Undialu said a suspect from the area confessed to killing Kalimda in a phone conversation and said that he had thrown Kalimda’s body into the Andapali River.
He said after the provincial government received the information, a reward was put for the community to assist Police and the PNGDF find late Kalimda’s body.
“The body was recovered just this afternoon (yesterday) by a group of youths, and we will pay them a reward.”
Undialu also called on the suspect, whose identity is known, to surrender to police and appealed to the community to help bring the suspect in.