Vaccine rollout peaceful

POLICE have maintained law and order in Mendi town for the coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination rollout programme last Friday, Southern Highlands police commander Supt Martin Lakari says.
He brushed aside rumours in Mendi about people turning out to be aggressive and tried to stop the vaccination programme.
Supt Lakari said only a few people who have been shouting from a distance from the vaccination site opposed the programme but they were only a minority.
“There was not any disturbance as everything was under control,” he said.
“That (commotion) was something created by a few people who tried to stop the vaccination rollout programme in the province.
“No one stood in front to disturb the programme as police personnel had full control of the situation.
“Mendi was peaceful at that time and I want to brush aside rumours of people turning against the vaccination programme.”
Supt Lakari said rumours of an attack at the vaccination site were false.
“My men were present and those who tried to disturb the process were only a handful,” he said.
“In future, when such programmes are carried out, people need to show respect because that is for their own good.”
Supt Lakari warned the people to behave in public as police would not tolerate offensive behaviours.