Toropo: Military did well

DEFENCE Force Joint Task Force Commander Col Gilbert Toropo is satisfied with the work soldiers have done during the 2012 general election.
Toropo said although there were a few officers who “stepped out of line” the general performance was encouraging.
He said there were instances where troops located in one part of the highlands were seen operating in another area.
“We had to deport them because they stepped out of line,” Toropo said.
He said 530 personnel from the air, land and sea elements of the defence force were sent to the highlands with the specific instruction of ensuring the elections were conducted “freely, fairly and safely”.
“We were instructed not to compromise our position,” he said.
He said they had made a number of arrests in all highlands provinces and had confiscated a number of high-powered firearms belonging to candidates and their supporters.
Toropo said around 1,000 troops were deployed throughout the country, with half of them stationed in the highlands.
He said all soldiers were recalled to their respective bases, with only 150 soldiers left to wrap up things.
He said security in Enga and Jiwaka was provided by the Long Range Reconnaissance Unit, while security in Chimbu and Eastern Highlands was provided by the Engineering and Force Support Battalion.
He thanked all members of the force who took part in the general election operations to ensure its success.
Toropo thanked the Australian and New Zealand forces for lending their helicopters and planes to be used by local troops and election officials.
He said the 150 soldiers still in the highlands were expected to be recalled to their bases by this weekend.