Popondetta shooting victim dies

A man who was allegedly shot by police in Popondetta and airlifted to Port Moresby has died after almost five months in hospital.
Northern police commander Chief Insp Ewai Segi said that they had not received a formal complaint of the incident involving youths which led to the man being allegedly shot by police five months ago.
Segi, who was out of Popondetta during the time of the incident earlier this year, said currently, there was no information reported to the police on the incident.
He confirmed that there was initial dialogue with the victim’s family after a petition was handed to police and the provincial administration at the time of the incident.
Segi said the agreement reached during the dialogue was for the relatives and witnesses to give an account of the incident to police but, to date, nothing had been recorded.
“We wanted an investigation into the incident which was why we asked for the family and witnesses to give their accounts but no one has turned up to this day,” he said.
“In order for an investigation to take place, a formal complaint has to be reported.”
According to reports from Popondetta, the man (named) was caught in between the fight that erupted among youths and was allegedly shot by police.
He was airlifted to Port Moresby with the help of the provincial authorities and had been admitted at the Port Moresby General Hospital since February until his death a week ago.
His body was expected to be repatriated to Popondetta this week.
Meanwhile, Segi said the campaign period in Northern had been quiet since the issue of writs.
“We have been working alongside the candidates as they quietly carried out their awareness.”
“Credit goes to the people of Oro for this quiet campaign period.
“The only incident that was reported was left to the two candidates involved to resolve by way of a public gathering to be witnessed by the police and the provincial administrator.”