Six cops suspended over death

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
SIX policemen have been disarmed and suspended following the death of a man from Tari on New Ireland’s Lihir Island.
The death sparked looting by settlers that saw the death of another man from Morobe.
New Ireland commander Chief Insp Maurice Itoro told The National that the six cops would be dealt with upon the conclusion of investigations.
On the second death during the looting of shops, Chief Insp Itoro said “we have requested for a coroner’s inquest into the incident the death”.
He said six policemen had been sent to East New Britain’s Tomaringa for investigations.
“They allegedly caused the death of the Tari man,” he said.
“They stayed on a company leased land and were sent to Tomaringa unarmed as the rifles for each of the policemen were confiscated and stored for safe keeping to be tendered as court exhibits.
“The witnesses have been identified and their statements have also been recorded.”
Chief Insp Itoro said some looters who rioted had also been arrested and held in police station lock-ups.
“We hope to make more arrests soon,” he said, adding six people who allegedly led the rioters and looters had been released on K500 police bail.
Chief Insp Itoro said arrangements had been made for the Lihir senior magistrate to dispose off the case, hopefully, by the end of this week.
“We are also waiting for the magistrate to sign the Autopsy Warrant for the doctor to conduct a post mortem,” he said.
“The situation is still a bit tense but calming down slowly.
“Investigations are still in progress.”