One killed, another injured allegedly by police

 By JUNIOR UKAHA

A MAN was killed and another injured after they were allegedly shot by police last week.

The shooting allegedly happened at the Bumbu Compound in Lae around 9pm. 

Mark Aigal, chairman of the Bumbu community task force, claimed that members of a mobile squad unit opened fire at task force members.

Aigal said Junior Kelopas, 20, from Amoa, Morobe, died. The injured was Gane Numa, 22, of Siassi and Amoa parentage. Both were residents of the Amoa Compound and members of the Bumbu community task force.

Aigal said three shots were fired following a stone-throwing confrontation between members of the community task force and youths from the Wosera Compound.

He claimed that two mobile squad units parked near the Bumbu Bridge about 200m away fired three shots into the crowd.

“One shot hit Junior Kelopas on his right side while the other hit Gane Numa on his right leg,” Aigal said.

“Kelopas died instantly.”

Attempts to get comments from the Lae metropolitan commander Iven Lakatani on the matter were unsuccessful.

Aigal said a seven-point petition was presented to Lakatani regarding the shooting, calling on him to:

• Get officers from outside Lae to investigate the shooting;
• confiscate the firearm used in the shooting;
• arrest the officers involved in the shooting;
• find out if the police unit was permitted to operate in the area;
• arrange for compensation and funds to meet funeral expenses;
• push for proper uniforms for the community task force members; and,
• Arrange a meeting between the task force and the Governor of Morobe.