Powi challenges law enforcers to make arrests and bring peace

By PETER WARI
SOUTHERN Highlands has faced a series of law and order problems since last year’s national elections but none of the perpetrators have been arrested, says Governor William Powi.
He said the burning of the Link PNG aircraft, the courthouse complex and his house on Thursday last week were possible because of the inability of the law-enforcing agencies to protect lives and properties.
No arrest had been made for previous law and order issues related to last year’s general election, so the criminals were bold to act now, he said.
“The challenge now is for the security personnel that are being deployed for the State of Emergency in the province to deal with these issues and bring about long-term peace, stability and harmony,” he said.
Powi said the appointment of Thomas Eluh as the State of Emergency controller was welcome and he should make sure arrests were made.
“There must be arrests made. The perpetrators cannot go unpunished,” the governor said.
He said it would be a big failure if Eluh did not make any arrest. “We know who the people involved are and they are not hidden,” Powi said.
He said the province faced violence relating to the election and two police officers and other people were killed and properties were destroyed and burnt but no one was arrested.
“The burning of the aircraft and courthouse complex were not done in the village, it was done in one of the 22 provincial capitals of this nation.
“The long-term peace and stability of Southern Highlands will now depend on the arrest of criminal elements that have taken the law into their own hands.”
Powi said the provincial police commander said in the media that leaders must be on the ground to address the issues and apologise to Air Niugini, judiciary and the people.
“I was on the ground but I could not access Mendi town because the people entrusted to protect the State, lives and properties failed miserably in performing their duties,” he said.
“On Thursday (last week) when the incident happen in Mendi, there were police and Defence Force personnel on the ground. We leaders are civilians, we look up to the law enforcing agencies to protect lives and properties,” he said.