Relatives want Baisu killings invesigated

THE relatives of the six Baisu prisoners shot dead two weeks ago are demanding an immediate investigation into the killings.
The relatives, in their letter dated Nov 18 to Western Highlands police commander Supt Ambane Kaiglo, said an investigation was necessary to establish the cause of the uprising and subsequent deaths of the prisoners.
Copies of the letter were given to Correctional Services (CS) Commissioner Richard Sikani, police commissioner and Department of Correctional Services.
The relatives of the six deceased – two from Enga, two from Southern Highlands and another two from Western Highlands – said they would not remove the bodies from the morgue until they received full investigation reports.
James Wangi, Jackson Mendai, Tony Ake, and John Iama said they would leave their relatives’ bodies in the morgue to decompose if no investigation was conducted by authorities.
They identified their dead relatives as Wambri Pora, Lasen Kandaki, Bui Ake, Alua Awat, Mek Anis and Elisa Samuel.
“We understand that the laws of this nation provide for protection of lives and properties,” Wangi said, adding that it did not allow disciplinary forces to unnecessarily shoot to kill anyone at will, including the detainees.
He said the unjustified shooting of the prisoners was questionable and he wanted an investigation into the killing.
Wangi said they wanted the officers involving in the shooting to be brought to justice.
However, last week, CS Minister Tony Aimo and commissioner Sikani said the killing was justified and there was no need for an investigation.