Madang’s Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent, Rubiang Manzuc, says security personnel in the province have been beefed up following recent threats going around.
All road intersections will be blocked and all vehicles and the public travelling in and out of Madang town will be thoroughly searched before they can pass.
“The roadblocks will start at the handymart roundabout intersection point for vehicle and persons moving in and out of Madang,” says Manzuc.
Manzuc says people’s movement after hours is also restricted as there is a liquor ban in place in the province; id says if anyone is caught drunk and moving around after hours, they will be arrested and locked up at the Jomba police cells.
The PPC also visited all counting centers, informing counting officials and election officials to continue counting without fear as there will be tight security to make sure their safety is guaranteed, he added that each center has security personnel on the ground to monitor and check on persons going in and out of the counting venues.
All counting venues each have its own commanders’ to provide security to counting officials.
The provincial Police Commander says the operation plan for the province has now changed so security forces will be working six to six, 24/7 to make sure all counting is completed safely without fear.
“Our concern is safety of the counting and election officials including the public.”
Mobile Squad 13 from Lae, MS 14 from Goroka and the PNGDF are also on the ground to beef up security in the province, thus the manpower on the ground is more than enough to control any situation that may arise in the province.”
Manzuc said security forces on the ground are taking the spread of threats very seriously and assured the people of Madang that their safety is guaranteed.
They started tightening up their operations yesterday to ensure the safety of all citizens including counting and election officials.
The Provincial Police Commander is appealing to the leaders and the public to support security forces during the counting period until all declarations are made.