Group claims police demanded money, calls for investigation

Posted on The National

A GROUP of people living at Erima in Port Moresby claims the clash with police officers which led to the death of two people began after the officers had demanded money and liquor from them.
Spokesman Roy Hela Amburi called on acting Police Commissioner David Manning and Police Minister Bryan Kramer to carry out a thorough investigation.
He identified the two killed as Tarali Kopaya, 20, from Tari-Pori in Hela and Tamiabe Tigili, 18, from Komo-Margarima in Hela.
Amburi said at around 7.20pm on Thursday, five police teams drove into Erima from three directions and stopped at a small trading shop in Erima. He claimed that they demanded money and liquor.
“The police officers swore at the public and demanded the storekeeper to come out and give them money and alcohol,” he said.
He alleged that the police officers in the vehicles were “drunk”, with some in civilian clothes carrying guns. Amburi said after a while, the police officers broke into the small trading shops and fired a warning shot.
“Then they opened fired on the community from 7pm to 9pm, not caring that there were people living in the community. We saw them shoot one of the young men but we could not help him or get him to the hospital as they kept shooting.”
He said some people watching the rugby league clash between the Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters were drunk too and tried to defend the people.
Amburi said when the police officers realised that the two men were dead, they abandoned one of their vehicles and moved to the bridge side of the road.
“One man from Milne Bay who was in his house having dinner with his family was shot by a stray bullet, while an old man was shot in the back. Two teenagers, aged 14 and 15 were shot in the leg. Another man was shot in the knee and another on his thighs. So far, six are injured and two are dead. We want the officers involved in the shooting to be immediately arrested.”

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