Yakasa alleges intimidation on way to court

By JUNIOR UKAHA
THE Somare-appointed police commissioner Fred Yakasa has called on Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga and officers serving under him to respect the rule of law.
He made the call after policemen under the command of Kulunga allegedly intimidated his entourage to the court house yesterday.
“There was some level of threats and intimidation displayed by Kulunga’s men,” he said.
Yakasa said the country was not at war and it was unnecessary for Kulunga to fly two mobile squads from the Highlands fully armed and in camouflage gear to cordon access into the court house.
He said there were “no enemies” within the police force and that Kulunga must respect his right to natural justice.
Yakasa said there was no need to obstruct the flow of traffic and instil unnecessary fear in people’s minds.
“The courts are competent because they have seen the importance of my case and have handled it urgently.
“I am not fighting for the commissioner’s post. I am fighting for my reinstatement and the upholding of the Constitution.”
He told a number of officers from the NCD command, who gathered with him in the Sea Park area, that those who had maintained their loyalty to him had done so for the sake of the Constitution.
“You are Constitution fighters – fighters of the law. You understand and respect the law and have made individual decisions to protect the Constitution,” he said. 
Kulunga, however, said he had not issued any threats to deter Yakasa from pursuing his case in court.
“I am making this call following allegations made by Yakasa that he was threatened on Wednesday (Jan 11) not to attend the court hearing this morning upon orders issued by myself,” he said.
While admitting extra manpower was brought from outside NCD, Kulunga said their primary role was to boost police presence on the ground.
“On the additional police manpower, I believe it is a necessity to have additional police presence on the ground to deter criminal elements or anyone else for that matter from taking advantage of the situation.
“The policemen are there to protect life and property – that is their fundamental objective,” he said.
Kulunga said he was not preventing Yakasa from seeking redress in the courts, saying the judicial process was there for everyone to take their grievances to and seek justice.
 “At the moment there is only one Commissioner of Police and that is me. I am the Commissioner of Police operating from police headquarters.
“My appointment was made by the legitimate government of the day and it has been gazetted,” he said.
Kulunga said regardless of the outcome of the court case he expected all routine administrative and operational issues to remain unaffected.