Police call on locals not to take advantage of stranded passengers

POLICE are warning youths from villages near the Kumalu River in Mumeng, Bulolo, to show respect to commuters and stop harassing and robbing them.
Many people, including businesses people and public servants, have been intimidated, attacked and robbed, womenfolk and schoolgirls raped when crossing the river or camping on either side of the river waiting for floods to subside.
Bulolo Police Station commander Leo Kaikas appealed to councillors from nearby Gamox, Witipos, Mumengtain, Kumalu 1 and 2, Patep-Munanu and Zenag to show their leadership roles.
“This is a public highway damaged by natural disaster which is beyond human control, therefore, locals cannot capitalise on flood to collect fees, threaten bulldozer operators from clearing debris or robbing people,” he said. “Can’t councillors and community leaders take ownership of leadership responsibilities as many passengers have already sustained injuries and lost thousands in cash and valuable items.
“Many victims in Bulolo, Wau, Biaru, Waria, Aseki and Menyamya are frustrated, therefore, to avoid major ethnic clashes in future, educate local youths to refrain from attacking commuters” he said.
Kaikas said locals should respect stranded passengers and urged commuters to travel between 6am and 6pm and not at night.“