Strong calls have been made against an operational order issued by Police Commissioner, David Manning for the use of lethal force.
The order issued on 13th August 2023 read;
“The approach to stepping up use of force including lethal is part of reconceptualizing policing in the country. The focus is more on reactive as opposed to community policing”.
But Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defense, Belden Namah said such order issued by our police had resulted in the Bougainville War.
“I do not want to see a repeat of Bougainville anywhere else in the country. I have fought in that theater and I know what happened. I can tell you, it is a very painful experience,” said Namah.
Namah said there was no civil war going on or insurgency in the country to warrant any such order.
“What is happening in the Highlands are tribal flights which have been there for generations. People are just adapting new ways and new weapons to settle old scores. If the government is serious then address this issue at the tribal leadership level, said Namah.
The order from Commissioner Manning comes following an increase in reports of firearms and and live ammunitions being used in violet crimes in the Highlands.
The order also states that the authorization of use of force including lethal force re-enforces police functions and powers under the Arrest Act 1997.
But Namah rebuts that in his statement and said there is no basis whatsoever in the Arrest Act or anywhere to issue such dangerous orders.
“The rise in Law and order problem is because of ill-discipline, breakdown of command and control and lack of resourcing by successive governments,” Namah said.
Meanwhile, two weeks ago, police and defense personnel in a joint investigation exercise had arrested several men in Mt. Hagen who police believe have links to the domestic terrorism gang in Komo.
The same unit obtained search warrants and raided a property in Mt Hagen were they found a hidden storage of live ammunitions, police issued gas guns, armoured helmets and vests and unlicensed firearms.
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