Reinforcement sent to Trobriand Islands after villagers attack local police

POLICE reinforcement were sent to the Trobriand Islands after villagers allegedly attacked local policemen for preventing them from selling betel nuts in Milne Bay, acting Southern region police commander Chief Supt John Maru says.
He said villagers had allegedly attacked Losuia Police Station commander Chief Sgt Mark Beba and two reservists when they tried to stop villagers selling betel nuts at the Losuia Station market to enforce the Covid-19 state of emergency (SOE) orders – to stop crowding.
“The market is closed to prevent crowding as required under the Covid-19 SOE orders,” Supt Maru said.
“But betel nut sellers had defied the SOE orders to sell there and attacked the police officers when the officers told them to stop.”
Supt Maru said 14 policemen comprising Alotau-based officers and mobile squad officers were deployed on Wednesday to Losuia.
“Upon arrival, they contained the situation as relatives of the reservists wanted to take revenge and attack those betel nut sellers.
“They also arrested six and investigation is continuing with more arrests to be made.”
Supt Maru said the reinforcement from Alotau will now go out to do more awareness in the villages on the island.
“But that incident at Losuia Station is the only incident related to the Covid-19 SOE operations.
“Apart from that, the provincial Covid-19 taskforce team comprising police, health officers and other stakeholders are carrying out awareness throughout the province.
“The only setback is that members of the taskforce team are working without masks and gloves.”