Probe into alleged shooting

POLICE are investigating the shooting and wounding of a man at Laloki on April 3 allegedly by police during the state of emergency operation.
Acting Central commander Chief Insp Tapp Opai confirmed that a public complaint was registered at his office in relation to the alleged wounding of Martin Hatau at Laloki Bridge, outside Port Moresby.
He said according to reports he had received from the relatives of Hatau, police who were at the checkpoint at Laloki were involved in the incident.
Chief Insp Opai said the identity of the policemen and vehicle they had used during the time of the incident had been provided by the relatives.
He said it was alleged that Hatau and his friend were at Laloki River collecting sand to sell when the policemen went there in search of betel nut smugglers. According to a statement from the relatives, the victim and his friend’s clothes were allegedly burnt and other properties and money taken when the policemen went to the river.
Hatau and his friend then went to the checkpoint and requested his mother to go and ask the policemen to give back their properties.
When she went and asked, the policemen called for Hatau and his friend. When he approached the policemen, Hatau was allegedly grabbed by the collar of his shirt but managed to run away to his mother.
Hatau then left his mother to go to nearby bushes to urinate and while he was returning he was allegedly shot and wounded.