Two killed, others hurt after armed hold-up

By HELEN TARAWA
AT least two men died and others injured when two groups exchanged fire in Popondetta town on Friday, police say.
Northern provincial police commander Superintendent Michael Welly told The National that the incident was triggered by an armed hold-up and car theft along Killerton road. One of the three suspects in the armed hold-up and car theft was attacked by people from the nearby SBS community and later died.
He had been wanted for questioning by police over a series of crime in Northern.
In retaliation, a man from the community was shot dead and two others wounded.
It triggered a protest in town in which people and vehicles were attacked.
Welly warned the “ring leaders” to stop causing trouble.
Welly said three suspects from the community gave themselves up to police yesterday.
“I demand that they surrender the other four suspects (three robbery suspects and one for the murder of a Kainantu man on Friday),” Welly said.
“Two mortar bombs were discharged on two separate occasions on Saturday.
“The situation is still tense. Police in Oro are on the alert and doing their best to calm the situation down.”
“I have requested reinforcement from Port Moresby.”