Police questioned over mistreatment of Chinese

By JAMIE HARO
POLICE personnel have been questioned over allegations of mistreating a Chinese community during operations in Madang, says provincial commander Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang.
He said this was a serious concern after the Chinese Embassy received reports of misconduct during the operations and demanded authorities provide an explanation.
“I have directed all local members involved in this operation to cease forthwith and I will deal with them accordingly.
“For those Port Moresby based, if they wish to continue, I will not hesitate to have them disarmed and returned to Port Moresby,” he said.
Rubiang said the Chinese Embassy received reports from the local Chinese community on misconduct during the operations where police in Madang together with Immigration Citizens Authority (ICA) officials illegally seized passports, labour cards and gun licences lawfully held by Chinese citizens during operations targeting Chinese shops.
He said according to embassy reports, there were serious reports of inhumane treatment, including beating, arbitrary and unlawful detention.
He said the citizens were illegally detained for more than 48 hours, during which they were denied food.
In addition, police illegally closed shops, searched residences of local Chinese people, and confiscated properties.
“Chinese communities were detained unlawfully by these units demanding large sums of money to return their personal properties.”