Police officers blamed in death of man in Hela

PEOPLE in Hides, in Hela, want an investigation into the death of a man from the area they claimed was killed by police officers engaged by ExxonMobil on Saturday .
According to Hides PDL (petroleum development licence) 7 Special Purpose Authority chairman Andy Hamaga, people wanted the company to review its policy arrangement with the police force because the actions of the officers were creating problems.
Hamaga said they wanted ExxonMobil to act now to protect the interest of the project as the recent shooting was not the first.
A spokesperson for ExxonMobil told The National: “The State is responsible for maintaining law and order across the nation. It is not appropriate for us to comment on a police matter. Maintaining long-term relationships with the communities in which we’re working is central to our security strategy.
“Under the Project Gas Agreement, the State is responsible for protecting project operations in a lawful and reasonable manner that respects human rights.”
Hela police commander Chief Superintendent Martin Lakari yesterday said he was awaiting more information on the incident.
A man was also shot dead last year and other locals have been subjected to assaults allegedly by the police officers but have never been reported, Hamaga said. More than 50 homes were razed in 2014. Hamaga said the people wanted the constabulary to investigate the two alleged killings and have those responsible arrested.
Hamaga said while the people supported ExxonMobil and would continue to support and protect the project, the people wanted the arrangement to have security forces flown in and accommodated within the company premises reviewed.