Police deny shooting settler during eviction

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
Metropolitan Superintendent Benjamin Turi says police must not be blamed for all the shootings in the city.
He told The National that police should not be blamed for the shooting incident at a settlement in Port Moresby last Sunday in which a man died and others were injured.
The dead man identified as Ira Ora, 25, from Kamo village in Pangia, was allegedly shot by police while they were trying to evict settlers on a piece land to be developed.
“We admit other shootings but not this one. My men did not shoot anyone dead,” Turi said.
It was alleged that the residents living between the Wildlife, Erima and Morata settlements were trying to stop the development of a housing project. Turi said he was told that a gunshot was heard before police arrived.
“We do not want the public to blame us on all the shootings, as this shooting was not done by my men as far as I am concerned,” he said.
Turi said investigations were underway.
He said they did not give any order to anyone for the eviction.