Villagers attack three police officers at roadblock in Madang

By SAMUEL BARIASI
THREE policemen from Malala in Bogia were attacked and their vehicle destroyed at Garum when they tried to avoid a roadblock set by the villagers there while on their way to Madang on Monday night.
Dugulaba village chief at the Mangem Care Centre Alois Sukua told The National that the incident happened at around 10pm.
The three policemen arrived at the care centre seeking refuge at about midnight.
Sukua said the Manam people took the policemen in and attended to their wounds.
From what the policemen told Sukua, stones were thrown at them after their vehicle overturned and went into a ditch.
Madang police commander Supt Mazuc Rubiang said he believed the roadblock happened after an earlier incident with police.
“A group of health workers travelling to Bogia earlier on could not go through because of a roadblock, so they called for assistance and police were sent to clear the roadblock,” Supt Rubiang said.
“The villagers blocked the road again immediately after the police left.” He said the three policemen were attacked at that second roadblock.
“The driver was trying to flee from the attackers and ran into a ditch because they were screaming to kill them,” Supt Rubiang said
“The attackers stoned the vehicle and destroyed it after the three fled for their lives.”
Supt Rubiang said he did not really know the reason for the roadblocks.
He said a police team went to Garum yesterday, cleared the roadblock again and rescued the three policemen at the Mangem Care Centre and brought them to Madang town.
Supt Rubiang said no arrests were made and the damaged vehicle was moved to nearby Bunabun Station.