Police say one of 3 shot wanted for murder

POLICE in East Sepik claim that one of three men they killed on Wednesday had shot a cocoa farmer who died last month.
Police commander Supt Albert Beli said one of the deceased identified as Arthur Rainape, from West Sepik and East Sepik, was wanted for questioning by the CID over the death of Timothy Miroi Jnr.
Rainape was 30.
Supt Beli said Rainape was a Madang resident and was wanted for a series of criminal activities.
The late Miroi, from Malol village, West Sepik, died after he was allegedly shot by armed men along the highway on the west coast of Wewak on his way back to Aitape.
Supt Beli said the incident took place along the Makopin-Smain section of the highway.
He said Miroi was driving back to Aitape from Wewak town when the gang, armed with rifles and grass knives attempted to stop and rob the vehicle.
Supt Beli said while in a scuffle, a gun went off and Miroi was shot.
The other two deceased on Wednesday were identified as Jackson Mero, 30, from Central and 40-year-old James Maus, from Wosera-Gawi in East Sepik and West New Britain.
Supt Beli yesterday said the three were among seven others who had arrived in the province a month ago from Madang.
Police believed that the men had planned to rob businesses operating in the Boram area of Wewak when three of them were killed in a shootout with police at Wom.
Supt Beli urged those at large to surrender as his policemen were still “hunting for them”.
“We know they (seven men) are armed, communities shouldn’t harbour them.
“It would be good if they surrender, rather than police hunting them down,” he said.
Supt Beli encouraged local communities in the province to report any suspicious movement of people.