Probe to begin

By GEORGINA KOREI and REBECCA KUKU
AN investigation team from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) has been sent to Tari, Hela, to probe the death of a soldier allegedly shot by police on Sunday.
Acting PNGDF chief Commodore Philip Polewara, in a media conference at the police headquarters in Port Moresby yesterday, said a six-man investigation team consisting of senior PNGDF officers would be working with the Task Force Team in Mt Hagen to carry out an investigation.
“Anything found to be criminal in nature will be left to police to investigate, but we will also do our independent investigation,” he said.
“The soldiers who were there at the time of the shooting have been disarmed and pulled out from the area.”
Polewara said police and PNGDF had been working back-to-back by providing security in the Highlands, and the unfortunate incident would be investigated and not cause further disharmony between the two forces.
“We have built a good and solid relationship based on trust, respect and reinstatement of the rule of law for the people of Hela.”
He said the deceased, who succumbed to the wounds sustained in the shooting, was part of the PNGDF intelligence team based in Hela.
Deputy police commissioner Dr Philip Mitna said a team from the Crimes Division from Port Moresby would assist with the investigations.
“Right now, our priorities are, one: to repatriate the body back to Port Moresby and; two: to establish the facts around this incident and have the perpetrators charged.”
Mitna also appealed to policemen and soldiers not to forget their duty and responsibility to society.
“This one-off incident will not derail our good relationship with the senior officers of the PNGDF and their rank and file,” he said.
Hela police commander Chief Supt Joseph Tondop said the four policemen allegedly involved in the shootout were arrested on Sunday and were detained in Mt Hagen.
“They will be questioned by impartial investigators. He said they were yet to establish who fired the shots and why.
Tondop extended his condolences to the family of the deceased.
“I will give the fallen solider the due respect he deserves and accord full support to ensure his body is taken back to his home province.”
Meanwhile, Mitna called on the bank manager whose residence the incident happened at, to cooperate with the investigation. Initial reports said policemen were attending to a drunken abuse call at the bank manager’s residence. He, however, denied alcohol was involved and said investigations would reveal circumstances surrounding the soldier’s death.
Polewara said the deceased’s identity would be released after the family was informed.