Tiensten supporters’ march cancelled

A PROTEST march in East New Britain planned by Pomio leaders over the unceremonious dumping of their Pomio Mp Paul Tiensten was called off.
The march was supposed to have taken place in Kokopo town on Tuesday but was suddenly called off after instructions from provincial police commander Supt Anthon Billie and Assistant Police Commissioner for New Guinea Islands, Francis Tokura.
Mr Tokura confirmed they had advised the organisers it would be an illegal public protest and gave them an option to wait until the 14-day notification period has lapsed before they  staged the protest.
The organising committee last Saturday applied for police approval and a letter of notice for the march that was scheduled for Tuesday, Jan 12.
However, the date fixed for the march was too early and breached the 14 days notice requirement.
Mr Tokura said another reason was the escalating law and order problems in Kokopo and police feared that criminals would take advantage of the protest to cause trouble for business houses and the public.
Supporters of Mr Teinsten were organising the march against his expulsion from the National Alliance Party branch in ENB.
Meanwhile, ENB Governor Leo Dion has refused to meet with Mr Tiesten’s supporters in a meeting planned yesterday at the Kokopo Beach Bungalows.
The meeting was allegedly to discuss Mr Tiensten’s sacking.