MP condemns looting in town

 MAPRIK MP John Simon has condemned the looting of the Wewak Christian Bookshop last Friday and called on youths to change their attitude and take ownership of the town.

Simon said he was ashamed by the youths ransacking the book shop and taking items, including Bibles.

He said the rampage affected businesses and caused anxiety among the people.

“If we cause these businesses and the town to shut down, where will we go,”Simon asked.

“If we go to Madang or Lae, they will not accept us because we failed to protect our own town. 

“They will chase us out when we go to access services in their towns and cities. 

“So I urge all youths to take ownership of this town because this is where we belong. 

“We have land to farm for food and money. I call on all youths to go back to your areas and allow normalcy to return.”

The youths took advantage of the absence of police in town on Friday morning to loot the bookshop and other businesses.

The Wewak police station was closed after the officers protested the assault on two policemen in front of the station on Thursday. Yangoru-based officers Andreas Pe­ni and Herman Ko­­ni suffered injuries, while the windscreen of their vehicle was smashed. Governor Sir Michael Somare met with defence force and police representatives, acting provincial administrator Otto Ganai and mayor Charles Malenki to restore normalcy.