Referendum committee welcomes Tokura

THE Bougainville Referendum Commission (BRC) has welcomed the relocation of acting police commissioner Francis Tokura back to Bougainville to oversee the security operations for the referendum, BRC chief referendum officer Mauricio Claudio says.
“It is the National Government’s decision to relocate Tokura as the chief Bougainville police service commander,” he said.
“It is timely as he (Tokura) has been working with us to put in place the security operations.
“He is a Bougainvillean and is a capable and experienced officer to head the security operations and we welcome the decision.
“I also want to make it clear that the K15 million allocated to the Bougainville police service by the National Government is for security operations.
“And it is not, but of the of K27.8 million that was allocated to BRC to conduct the elections.”
Earlier, Tokura said a regional assistance police team, led by the New Zealand police, would be deployed to assist Bougainville police services provide security during the referendum.
“Also a 100 men team from the Royal PNG Constabulary (RPNGC) will be deployed,” he said.
“All these outside police officers, including the members of the Bougainville police services will be unarmed during their deployment for the referendum.
“These teams, including members of the Bougainville police services, will be under the command of the Bougainville police service commander.”
Tokura also said they had a concept in place for the regional assisting police team headed by NZ police.
He said there were an indication that they would be supported by police officers from Australia, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
“Also, the RPNGC team will comprise both Bougainvilleans and non-Bougainvilleans serving especially from New Guinea Islands.”
Tokura said they were looking at the legal issues in engaging these teams on Bougainville.
He confirmed that the military would not be engaged for the referendum.