29 Jul 2011

PNG provincial police chief dismisses claim his officers torched 100 houses

9:42 am on 29 July 2011

The Hela province police commander in Papua New Guinea has confirmed his officers burnt down four houses and three unoccupied businesses in Magarima district but he strongly denies media reports that they'd torched 100 houses.

Superintendent John Anaiwe says the reports are not a true reflection of what happened following an attack on police on Sunday in which one officer was slashed and the police vehicle destroyed.

Superintendent Anaiwe says several arrests were made on Tuesday and guns removed from the community.

He says on the Wednesday police, with the help of the community, burnt down four traditional houses and three trade stores that had no goods in them.