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.”

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/group-claims-police-demanded-money-calls-for-investigation/

Unrest in city

By REBECCA KUKU - The National

TWO men were shot dead and others injured during a clash between police and residents of a settlement in Port Moresby over the weekend, disrupting traffic and damaging a few passing vehicles.
Police Minister Bryan Kramer, acting Police Commissioner David Manning and National Capital District police commander talked to the people yesterday morning to calm the situation down, and managed to persuade the relatives of the two men to allow traffic to flow again on the main highway.
“We promised them that we will undertake a full investigation into the incident, and deal with everyone involved. If any member of the Constabulary has broken the law, he or she will be dealt with severely.
“There are reportedly two deaths so far and I do not wish for more deaths or injuries to occur nor do I want to see more damage done to both public and private property.
“I am appealing for calm and common sense to prevail while the investigation gets underway. The situation is still tense and details are sketchy at this point in time.”
Some locals claimed that a group of police officers had started the trouble on Thursday evening when they allegedly demanded money and liquor from shop owners. The officers had gone to the area to investigate complaints that certain shops were involved in bootlegging.

The officers were met with resistance and a fight broke out.
“Police reinforcements were called in to contain the situation. In the process two members of the Erima community were killed and members of the commuting public were attacked by Erima settlers on Saturday and again this (yesterday) morning,” Manning said.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/unrest-in-city/

Bing: China ready to support PNG in trade, development

Posted on The National

CHINA stands ready to continue to support Papua New Guinea in trade and many development areas, Chinese ambassador Xue Bing says.
He was speaking during the 70th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the People’s Republic of China celebrated in Port Moresby.
“China is ready to continue to work together with PNG to strengthen dialogue, communication and cooperation in various areas,” he said.
“We welcome the export of PNG coffee, coconut, tropical fruits, tuna, lobster and other products to China and we want to put them on the dining tables of the Chinese people at an early date.
“We welcome more PNG students to study in China, learning and speaking Chinese language so as to become friendship ambassadors between our two countries.
“We welcome more Papua New Guineans to come to visit and enjoy the charm and wonders of modern China.
“We are ready to work together with the new government of PNG under the leadership of Prime Minister James Marape to actively implement and strengthen practical cooperation.
“We look to further promote the development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between our two countries and bring more tangible benefits to our two peoples.”
Bing said China was PNG’s second largest trading partner and an investment destination with more than 40 Chinese companies now operating in the country creating over 6,000 jobs.
“In 2018, the bilateral trade volume reached US$3.62 billion (K12.2bil), with the PNG side enjoying a surplus.”
Prime Minister James Marape affirmed the relationship between the two countries.
“There is a huge trade imbalance more to the favour of PNG and less to China,” he said.
“More of our exports find their destinations on the ports of China and we get less from them.”
Ambassador Bing said the two economies were highly complementary and there were huge potentials to be tapped.
“The public is the biggest beneficiaries from the ever deepening of practical cooperation between China and PNG.”
He said China’s development over the last 70 years in technology and other areas was a good opportunity for the world.

Go to this link for more: https://www.thenational.com.pg/bing-china-ready-to-support-png-in-trade-development/