Police allegedly assault administrator

 ACTING Nuku district administrator Vincent Mayeni has been hospitalised after being allegedly assaulted by police in West Sepik.

Vincent Mayeni, assaulted last Thursday in Nuku, was seeking treatment at the Vanimo General Hospital, provincial police commander Supt Robert Gesa said.

He said Mayeni was assaulted over some differences over use of government assets. 

“I will be sending an investigating team to Nuku as the situation is tense.  We need to address this incident before the polling for the West Sepik regional by-election starts on Saturday,” Gesa said.

He said 397 officers, including PNG Correctional Services officers from Vanimo jail and police officers from East Sepik, to provide security for the election.

Gesa said the campaign and nomination stages were peaceful and he was hoping for the same during the polling stages.

Meanwhile PNG Electoral Commission media officer Alphones Muapi said:  “By law, all campaign activities should cease by midnight on Friday with polling to commence on Saturday. The polling will go on for two weeks.”

Candidates contesting the by election are Amkat Mai (National Alliance), Oree Greg Kapanombo (PNG Party), Bob Namah (IND),  Simon Solo (People’s Progress Party), Tony Arop Wouwou (IND), Maima Kaupa (IND), Greg Waflou (IND), Carlos K Yuni (IND), Timothy Numara (IND), John Talu Tekwie (Peoples National Congress), Ernest Nikengu (IND), Noel Colin Mobiha (Pangu), Petrus Awa (IND), Peter Brus Saroya (THE Party), Paul Nengai (IND), Robin Elfou (IND).