Soldiers rampage

PORT MORESBY – Papua New Guinea’s deputy police commissioner has condemned soldiers involved in a rampage at a Port Moresby police station that left two policemen seriously injured.

Jim Andrews says about 10 soldiers in civilian clothing arrived in a pick-up truck and stormed the Waigani police station on Friday.

He says the soldiers were apparently frustrated over police delays in settling a feud between members of the two forces, and decided to take matters into their own hands.

Andrews says the incident stemmed from an incident a fortnight ago in which an allegedly drunken soldier was injured while resisting arrest.

He says the soldier then mobilised his comrades and appeared at the Waigani station to demand compensation, which hasn’t been paid.

Andrews says an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding both incidents, but says unethical and unlawful acts should not be allowed to creep into the disciplinary forces. - RNZI