Soldier in custody over death

THE soldier who allegedly killed a community leader two months ago is still in military custody pending a police investigation report, Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) deputy chief Capt (Navy) Philip Polewara says.
“He is in Murray Barracks for the death of 57-year-old Tom Koumbuimu in Daru in May,” he said.
“The soldier is accused of assaulting Koumbuimu who died a week after admission to the Daru General Hospital.
“And from our internal investigations, he is alleged to have been involved in the clash between PNGDF and police in December 2014 that led to soldiers going on a rampage at the Boroko police station.”
Meanwhile, acting South Fly commander Snr Insp Ewai Segi said the post-mortem on Koumbuimu and police investigations had been completed. “We are just waiting for the PNGDF to get back to us with their own investigation and terms of reference,” he said.
Meanwhile, Morehead local level government president Robert Karum said the late Koumbuimu was from Wando village at the PNG-Indonesian border.
“From reports, Koumbuimu was walking along the road and the soldier picked him up and brought him to their military outpost and beat him unconscious,” he said.
Karum said Koumbuimu was a private building contractor.