Police ask people to return guns

By JAMES GUMUNO
People of Nondugl in Jiwaka have been asked to immediately return two police issue guns.
Acting deputy commander Eastern End, Tim Korada, told The National that a new pump action five-round gun and a gas gun were in the care of policemen when they went missing two months ago at Nondugl.
He said that the two concerned policemen, the former station commander for Nondugl and his constable, were now under suspension.
Korada said the new station commander, who went in find out about the missing guns, reported the matter to the divisional commander.
He said when the two policemen were questioned in the office of the divisional commander, the constable said he gave the guns to the station commander, who then denied receiving the guns.
Korada said the two policemen did not gave an accurate information as to where the guns were.
He said that the guns went missing when the two policemen were allegedly under the influence of liquor.
“We believe that the guns were stolen while they were under liquor,” Korada said.
He said that his office had directed the acting provincial police commander to establish a dialogue with Nondugl people to return the guns.
Korada said that those in possession of the guns and reluctant to return them were asking for trouble.
“These guns are given to police to look after properties and save people’s lives, not for one to steal from police and go around terrorising other innocent people,” he said.
Korada said the people of Banz returned a police rifle stolen from Kudjip Highway Patrol two weeks ago after being in possession for six months.
He said the sooner Nondugl people returned the two guns, the better.