Northern police seeking approval to destroy settlement

NORTHERN police commander Chief Inspector Lincoln Gerari is seeking approval from provincial authorities to demolish the New Guinea Compound (settlement) after a young man was killed there last Friday.
Gerari told The National that demolition of the compound was among a list of demands raised in a petition presented to him by the people of Hohorita village where the victim was from.
He said the incident happened in Popondetta in which the victim, Harrison Homaipa, had just finished work and was returning home when he was approached by two young men allegedly under the influence of homebrew and asked for money.
Gerari said when the young man said he did not have any money, one of the two allegedly stabbed him on the back of his neck with a sharp object. He was taken to the hospital but died later.
“The people of Hohorita went down in two vehicle loads wanting to have a protest, but we stopped them saying we would address the issue.
“With the provincial leaders and Sohe MP Henry Amuli we received the petition from the people and assured them that we would address the issues they rasied,” Gerari said.
He said the New Guinea Compound was a settlement which had people mainly from Morobe, Madang and the Oro Kaiva area.
The Hohorita people also demanded for all public vending to stop and Gerari took it upon himself to talk to authorities about it.
“I am awaiting approval from the authorities to demolish the settlement and I have informed the settlers through the local radio,” he said.
“They will have to vacate this area because from past reports, most criminal activities and killings occurred in this compound and it has put people’s lives at risk,” Gerari said.
Meanwhile, Gerari said two suspects were apprehended.