27 Feb 2003

PNG police gets shoot-to-kill order to shore up peace in Southern Highlands

5:01 pm on 27 February 2003

Papua New Guinea police in the Southern Highlands have been given orders to shoot to kill anyone carrying a firearm and out to foil the peace process in the province.

The Post Courier says the order was given by the special police envoy in the region, Superintendent Simon Nigi.

Mr Nigi says his men will shoot to kill anyone who uses high-powered guns to either tamper with the province's fresh elections or the movement of people in region.

He says while many people in the province want peace and noamrlcy to return to the Southern Highlnds, a handful of people were still holding onto high-powered guns.

Mr Nigi says the message has been relayed throughout the province and that people are well aware of the order.

He says now is the time to act and enough is enough.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Police Commissioner, Gari Baki has announced that there will be a heavy presence of security forces during the Southern Highland elections.