Police get another K30mil for ops

By AILEEN KWARAGU
POLICE have received an additional K30 million from the Government to carry out security operations during the 2022 General Election (GE22) around the country.
Police Commissioner David Manning said the initial funding of K155 million had been used to maintain the security operation.
“Police are comfortable with the funding and we have been making sure to maintain and control the expenditure,” he said.
Manning said the polling period would see a significant increase in demand for resources.
He is satisfied with how they are managing their finances during the GE22.
Meanwhile, Manning said the deployment of the security forces around the country began on the weekend.
He said 350 members of the quick response force had left and the number would increase before polling began.
Security deployment to other provinces would begin from next week.
The security operation will begin in the National Capital District and Central, and after the polling, the troops will be sent to other parts of the country.
The total number of security force members involved in GE22 is expected to be between 7,000 and 8,000.

Tuke urges supporters to refrain from retaliation

KAINANTU MP Johnson Tuke has urged his supporters to refrain from retaliation following a clash between his supporters and others in Kainantu town on Friday.
He has lodged a formal complaint with police on the incident to ensure that there is no further violence during the election period.
He assured the people, candidates, supporters and the people using the Highlands Highway that the recent attack on his supporters had been resolved and that there would be no further violence.
Tuke said the clash between his supporters and a Kainantu hopeful candidate should not be seen as a threat to other parties, candidates, supporters and people using the highway.
“I am not going to retaliate (and) I am inviting all the candidates, their parties and supporters to launch their campaign rallies in Kainantu,” he said.
“The candidates also have the liberty to conduct their campaigns and contest the Kainantu seat.”
He condemned the actions of the candidate and supporters involved in the incident.
Meanwhile, Tuke said he and his supporters were travelling in more than 100 vehicles from Krufi in Kamalo Two to Kainantu to launch his campaign posters.
Tuke confirmed that more than 30 people were currently recovering from their injuries at his home in Goroka.
Two of his vehicles were burnt, and one badly damaged.

Two supporters arrested for carrying homemade guns

POLICE arrested two supporters of a candidate at Gagidu, Finschhaffen, Morobe, last week after they were found to be in possession of guns.
Morobe police commander Supt Jacob Singura said members of a police special unit in Lae arrested the two men believed to be supporters of a candidate for the Finschhaffen open seat.
“Police found them to be in possession of two homemade guns.
“The men were charged with being in possession of offensive weapons,” Singura said.
He said supporters of candidates should not be going around with offensive weapons and using violent behaviour to harass voters.
“This is wrong and police will not hesitate to arrest those found and have them charged accordingly,” he said.
He also said that candidates must ensure that their campaign managers were given the right information.
Singura said using violence to force votes from people was not a sign of good leadership and that did not lead to a free, fair and safe election.
Police in Gagidu, supported by the Lae metro and provincial police command, will check vehicles suspected of carrying offensive weapons.
Singura said that the over-loading of vehicles by supporters of candidates in the district was becoming a concern for them and they were monitoring the situation closely.

Former member cleared of 14 misappropriation charges

By BEVERLY PETER
THE National Court yesterday cleared 14 charges against former Moresby North-East MP Labi Amaiu, opening the door for him to try to win back the seat he lost in 2017.
Judge Justice Teresa Berrigan made the ruling in the Waigani court after Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin said the State would not proceed with the matter.
Kaluwin filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue the matter because of insufficient evidence.
Amaiu from Kompiam-Ambum in Enga was charged with seven counts of misappropriation and seven counts of conspiracy to defraud.
The committal court in Waigani sent him to stand trial in the National Court after finding enough evidence against him.
Amaiu filed an application in the National Court to review the decision, arguing that there was insufficient evidence. But Justice Colin Makail rejected his application saying there was sufficient evidence.
Amaiu then challenged Justice Makail’s decision in the Supreme Court, which stayed the ruling.
His lawyer Elah Nalea filed a motion to set aside the matter because of lack of evidence. It was granted.
Outside court yesterday, Amaiu said he knew that he had not defrauded the State in anyway during his term as MP.
“All the allegations against me arose from false speculations to spoil my reputation.
“But justice has taken its course to show that there is no evidence to prove those allegations.”
Amaiu lost the seat to John Kaupa in 2017.