Top cop urges men to take part

 By JUNIOR UKAHA

POLICE in Lae have urged men to part take in the national haus krai to be staged in the city today.

Lae metropolitan commander Supt Iven Lakatani said the occasion should now be seen as a woman’s rally but a community issue involving men and children. 

“This is a good cause. It is a nationwide issue and men must be involved,” Lakatani said.

He said men were the ones committing violent crimes against women.

“Even men too sometimes become victims of violent crimes,” he said.

Lakatani warned opportunists not to create problems during the gathering saying police would be out in full force to deal with trouble-makers.

“I have allowed the organisers to stage the event because of its importance,” he said.

“Police have been assigned to provide security for the participants.”

The organisers had initially planned to march from Tent Citi to Eriku but police refused saying it was a longer route and security would be a problem.

A shorter route from the Huon Gulf Hotel to Eriku Oval via Milfordhaven Road was instead agreed on.

The march will start around 5.30am and end after midday.

Hundreds of people in the country and PNG overseas mission are observing the event which commenced yesterday.

The two-day “mourning period” according to the organisers was in reaction to the upsurge in the number of violent crimes committed against women in the country. 

The event is led by non-government movement “Women Arise PNG” and churches.