Police: Airport boss attacked

A National Airport Corporation manager at Momote Airport in Manus and a soldier were assaulted by a businessman and two others on Wednesday, police say.
The businessman, in the company of two other men, assaulted the manager and a soldier while they were doing clearance work at the airport for its redevelopment.
Acting provincial police commander Senior Inspector David Yapu said the PNGDF personnel was engaged to clear the old bombs and explosives at the airport to pave way for its re-development.
While at the work site, he and the manager were assaulted by three men.
Yapu said the land at Momote belonged to the State and any issues should be referred to appropriate authorities.
Yapu condemned the action as it was an important  government project which would benefit the people of Manus.
He said locals should allow the project to progress without any disruption.
Yapu said once the project was completed, locals would participate in the spin-off businesses and should appreciate the project and not take the law into their own hands to disrupt the operation.
An official complaint was made to his office after the incident and he has directed his officers to investigate and take appropriate action.