Vehicles torched in EHP

By ZACHERY PER
EASTERN Highlands General Election 2022 (GE22) campaign rallies kicked off with frustrated locals torching five vehicles in Okapa on Friday.
Commander Superintendent Michael Welly said during a rally, the supporters of candidates pelted each other with stones and burned vehicles.
“We responded immediately after the incident by escorting Okapa MP Saki Soloma out to safety,” he said.
Welly did not disclose the owners of the vehicles but said those responsible for the destruction would be dealt with accordingly.
“It is an act of cowardice by some so-called frustrated groups of people in remote Okapa,” he said.
“If you are not happy and are frustrated at a candidate or any sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), do not take it personally and burn properties like vehicles
“Go show your frustrations at the polling booth through your ballots by not voting for those you are unhappy with.
“We expect people to behave maturely in GE22.
“Violence is not the way to display your frustrations.”
Welly had only a day before applauded the people for maintaining peaceful nominations for the eight seats in the province at the close on Thursday.

Top cop urges candidates to be mature

By JACINTA COHLEE
ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police (ACP) for Northern region Peter Guinness has urged candidates in Morobe and the region to accept criticism during the campaign period.
He said contesting candidates needed to understand that they would be criticised as this was part of politics.
He added that when criticism was taken personally, or when candidates took offence to comments by critics or voters, tempers could flare and this could lead to violence.
“During the campaigning period, there will be a lot of criticism from the public,” he said.
“Candidates should have thick skins to take the criticism.
“As a leader, accept criticism because it is good too.
“Criticisms weigh on one’s character where a person has to look at his or her shortcomings and strategise for a better outcome.
“A leader should accept criticism. Once criticised, then, you have to look for strategies to address the issues.”
Meanwhile, Guinness said there needed to be respect among people.
“Everyone has a freedom of choice and expression in this country.”
Guinness urged people not to disrupt or damage a party or candidate’s campaign because they had a right to contest and participate in the election.

Two men dead following clash in Morobe’s Huon Gulf

By JIMMY KALEBE
TWO men are dead following a confrontation between two groups on the Manum section of the Highlands Highway in Huon Gulf on Thursday, Morobe commander Superintendent Jacob Singura says.
“Several other people were injured but we are still unable to confirm whether the violence was general election-related,” he said.
“We are trying to confirm where the two groups were rival supporters of election candidates.
“A car was torched and the market houses were also burnt down.”
Singura said he accompanied Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and Northern Assistant Commissioner Peter Guinness to address the Munum community on Friday.
“The locals agreed to clear the main highway and we assured the community and both warring sides that this is now a police matter,” he said.
“Investigations are ongoing, the reasons or cause of the violence will be established and those responsible nabbed.”
Singura said the situation at the moment was tense but police were monitoring it.
He appealed to both sides to maintain peace and understanding while police investigated the matter.
“Candidates and their supporters have to respect each other,” he said.
“All campaign programmes have to be carried out peacefully.”