Three dead in Goroka, Kavieng shops looted

By ZACHERY PER and HANNAH NERO
THREE people are dead with 23 hospitalised following rioting and looting in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, while across the Solomon and Bismarck seas in Kavieng, New Ireland, three shops were stripped bare on Thursday.
Eastern Highlands police commander Supt Michael Welly condemned the killings, saying they were unnecessary.
He said the remains of those killed were at the morgue.
“The injured are at the Goroka hospital.”
Supt Welly said the rioters had forcefully entered the Digicel PNG shop, Papindo supermarket and another shop at west Goroka.
“Two Bank South Pacific ATMs were damaged and properties vandalised.”
Correctional Services officers from Bihute jail were brought in to assist Goroka police deal with onThursday’s rioting.
Supt Welly said the joint police and CS operations continued on Friday, with road blocks at strategic points, random checks and beat patrols.
He reported normal operations yesterday and was hopeful for a similar environment today and for the entire week going forward.
Meanwhile, over in Kavieng, New Ireland acting commander Snr Insp Gabriel N’Drihin said Red Star Limited, Diamond Brothers and Gardens Enterprise were completely looted and ransacked with their storage containers also forced open.
“The looters took us by surprise on Thursday (Jan 11). However, quick police action prevented the criminals from attacking other entities such as the Island Petroleum fuel station or damaging properties,” Snr Insp N’Drihin said.
“Since last Thursday, we’ve been patrolling the highway, advising all shops to close.
“We have allowed only three shops to open between 10am and 3pm.”
No deaths have been reported with police also monitoring other localities such as Lihir, Laukuruma station, Namatanai, Konos and Lemakot.