PNGDF to probe alleged assault

 THE PNG Defence Force will investigate a complaint by members of a family that soldiers assaulted them at the Taurama barracks in Port Moresby last Monday.

Dad Inai Kwaragu told The National yesterday that his family went to the barracks to talk to a soldier married to his daughter.

“We went to the barracks to find out why the soldier is not going home to visit his wife,” he said.

He said the soldier had gone out of the barracks but when he returned, he and his colleague started assaulting the family.

“They used baseball bats, pipes and wood,” Kwaragu said.

Taurama barracks commanding officer Lt-Col Stanley Benny said he was not aware of the incident but promised to look into it.

“It’s against my directives to bash wives at the barracks,” Benny said.

“I’m going to investigate and the soldier is going to be charged and he’ll be definitely punished.”

Kwaragu claimed that the soldiers swore at them and ordered them to leave the barracks.

“The soldier’s second wife came and belted my daughter.

“My daughter is the first wife,” he said.

He said it was a family matter to be solved with the soldier and his family.

Kwaragu said they reported the incident at the Hohola police station. However, no comment could be obtained from police.