Mt Hagen in the hands of thugs,says resident

A 28-year-old female from Tambul-Nebilyer who has fallen victim to thugs recently has urged people to be careful when moving around in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands.
It was understood that public areas such as bus stops, the main market and others had fallen to thugs who were causing fear among the public.
Kepo said thugs threatened people with weapons and stole their belongings.
Kepo was a recent victim who was attacked by some men armed with bush knives in the centre of Mt Hagen.
She told The National: “I was born and raised here, Mt Hagen is my home, gone are the days where I used to walk alone and fearlessly in town, the streets have become scary for a female like me.”
Western Highlands police commander Supt John Sagom said police would monitor hotspots for thugs.
“We are done with the General Election (2022), the police will closely monitor the market areas, bus stops and other hotspots,” he said. He said police would be assisted by security teams still in the province to clean up Mt Hagen.
Speaking during a parade at the Mt Hagen police station yesterday, Sagom thanked his men and everyone who had helped delivered the GE22.
He reminded his men to respect the uniforms they wore and to uphold the police code of conduct.
“It is the little things like chewing of betel nut, smoking and even drinking whilst on duty that portray a negative image to the officers and the force,” he said.