Soldiers investigated over claims of assault

Post-CourierTHE soldiers who have been involved in assaulting, accusing and intimidating members of Western Highlands Governor Tom Olga’s key election coordinating team are now to be investigated.
The Deputy Police Commissioner Simon Kauba, Assistant Police Commissioner Highlands Tedi Tei, Western Highlands Provincial police Commander Kauglio Ambane and PNGDF Commander Lieutenant Col Wanjil will investigate a complaint raised by Mr Olga regarding members of his election co-ordinating teams being assaulted and intimidating by a few soldiers during polling and counting.
The hierarchies from both police and defence assured Mr Olga that they will investigate the incident and deal with them accordingly.
Mr Olga is dismayed by the soldiers seriously injuring members of his key election co-ordinators during polling and counting.
A formal complaint raised by Mr Olga to the Deputy Police Commissioner Simon Kauba and PNGDF Commander Lieutenant Col Wanjil on Tuesday, urged the members of the PNGDF team in Mount Hagen to be dealt with accordingly for causing serious body harm without reason or wrong doing to his election co-ordinating teams members.
Mr Olga said he is scared for the actions of a few soldiers who tainted the good name of the other soldiers for acting unprofessionally.
“I condemn the actions of the few soldiers who painted a bad image to the good soldiers who are professional in their conduct of their duties. The action taken by the members of the soldiers in assaulting, accusing and intimidating my boys is unprofessional and uncalled for.
The boys have done nothing wrong or illegal during polling or counting. “They (boys) were assaulted, accused and intimidated for illegally possessing ballot boxes, papers and firearms but they soldiers confiscated nothing from the vehicles when they search,“ he said.
He asked why the soldiers are always accusing, assaulting and intimidating his members of election coordinating team and not to other candidates.
Mr Olga said the action taken by the professional members of the PNGDF who suppose to protect the rights of citizens is now questionable.
“I’m scared by the action from professional PNGDF members as there is no guarantee that they will protect our rights and most importantly our democracy. Our democracy and liberty are under attack from such action,” he said.