Relatives of dead cop put up roadblock at Chuave

By ZACHERY PER
TRAFFIC flow along the Chuave section of the Highlands Highway was shut down yesterday after angry relatives of a policeman shot dead in Enga during the election blocked the highway.
Chimbu provincial police commander Acting Supt David Seine Jr confirmed that traffic flow was brought to a halt by angry clansmen and family members of the late police officer Alex Kopa.
Government services and businesshouses were affected when the movement of trucks, PMVs and other vehicles were stopped by the people of Chuave.
The intersection at Chuave connects the four Highlands provinces of Enga, Chimbu, Western Highlands and Southern Higlands to the port of Lae via Eastern Highlands. The roadblock has brought freight to a  halt.
Kopa, who was attached with Mt Hagen’s police Mobile Squad Six, was shot dead with another colleague from Jiwaka, while a third policeman, from Madang, sustained serious injuries and is recovering in hospital.
Harry Kopa, the father of the policeman who was killed, blamed politicians for not taking responsibility to fix up the mess during the election.
He alleged that one of the candidates’ relatives shot his son but he did not mention any names.
Kopa Sr maintained that they would not allow the road block to be cleared unless those politicians were involved in the mediation and received their demands.
“We are now blocking off the road at Chuave,” he said.
“We demand that all Engan politicians come and address our grieviances before we can free up the highway. Only then can this matter be resolved.”