Stop SOE forces from bashing up people for no reason

 I ALWAYS wonder whether or not so-called state of emergency (SOE) forces are doing their jobs.

I do not think so because they are going around bashing up innocent people for no good reason. 

I say this because I am one of their victims. 

I was driving around Porgera doing some work and this bunch of SOE guys in full military uniform stopped me and bashed me up for no good reason. 

They asked me why I was not slowing down while they were doing a roadblock when in fact, I did as soon as I realised there was one. 

After the incident, many people approached me, expressing their frustrations over similar cases. 

This is not good for us, locals from Porgera. 

We have the right to do whatever we want anywhere at any time instead of being afraid all the time of some unknown green machines. 

Please, can someone clarify what their job really is in Porgera? 

I think their job is to cut down crime in the valley and also to stop illegal miners from stealing gold or cause problems. 

I would like to commend local MP Nixon Mangape for supporting the SOE operations in Porgera. 

This is another good step forward by our MP, which will benefit those who are always in fear. 

I would also like to thank Barrick Gold Corp for bringing in the SOE team into the valley. 

Now that it has happened, Porgera can see real change. 

Izzy Kingipa

Porgera, Enga