Residential houses went up in flames after police raid

By FESTUS MAGINAP
SEVEN houses in Alotau’s Bottom Town suburb were burnt down following a raid by members of the police task force in Milne Bay’s provincial capital, Alotau.
According to Bottom Town residents, one of the houses in question belonged to the father of wanted criminal Tommy Baker.
Baker Maeva, Tommy’s father, said the cost of damage to his home was estimated at K800,000.
“I was in touch with him in 2019 asking him to listen to the rule of law, which he declined,” Maeva said. “And that was the last time I was in touch with him. And for them to displace my family by burning down the house is uncalled for.”
He condemned the police action saying neither he nor his family were involved in harbouring his son.
“I condemn the act and those who sanctioned the burning of my property.
“Forty-four years of memories, souvenirs and children’s certificates all went up in flames on Friday afternoon.”
Maeva is a former public servant who had served for 44 years and is awaiting his final entitlements.
Meanwhile, the burning down of the seven homes at Bottom Town’s Garuboi Street followed Thursday night’s looting and the burning down of the police barracks opposite a service station.
Attempts to get a response from Milne Bay police commander Supt Peter Barkie were unsuccessful.