1 May 2003

PNG and Bougainville leaders concerned about security in Buka area

4:24 pm on 1 May 2003

The Papua New Guinea government and local Bougainville leaders have been told to implement measures to protect people living in Bougainville's main township of Buka.

The local government minister, Joel Banam, warns that there could be a breakdown of law and order on Bougainville once the international Peace Monitoring Group leaves the island at the end of June.

His warning comes after a person was shot dead on Tuesday night in Buka.

Mr Banam says the national government should deploy police to Buka to protect innocent people and major stakeholders in the Bougainville peace process.