MP deploys police to clean up township, probe cause of tribal fight

The National National

By PISAI GUMAR
POLICE have launched a 21-day operation to clean up the Wau-Bulolo townships of crime.
They are to flush out criminals and stop homebrew and drug production to give peace and harmony a chance.
Police are armed with search and arrest warrants and have extra officers to carry out raids.
Bulolo MP and Minister for National Planning and Monitoring Sam Basil announced that police would conduct a major “clean-up campaign” in Wau, extending to Bulolo and nearby areas.
The aim is to clean up criminal activities disturbing the peace in the township that has resulted in two deaths and a number of serious injuries, as a result of a clash between Biangai and Waria on Aug 31.
Bulolo development authority supported more than 70 policemen from the district, including Mobile 13 and 15 that began operation, hitting hot spots in Wau Urban on Thursday.
The first raid at Banana Block resulted in two suspects wanted for break and enter, stealing and armed robbery at the Wau airstrip being arrested.
The two are also suspected for shooting a local villager during the fight.
“I told the operations commander Insp Allan Gualin that the Government fully supported this operation to clean Wau town and surrounding areas of criminal elements and activities,” he said.
“They are to check for possession of firearms and homebrew production spots.”
He told the Biangais and Warias to cooperate with police, community leaders and councillors to bring out the suspects.
“Before we discuss any way forward to restore better future, bring out all the suspects creating nuisance in the community,” Basil said.
“It is a law and order issue and we keep harbouring criminals and the consequences are affecting everybody, including companies, health and education for our children.”
The minister said though relief supplies would be provided to affected Waria settlers, police should mop-up illegal firearms, home-made guns and homebrew producing kits, arrest perpetrators and those harbouring offenders or escapees.