Polye: Standoff between police, soldiers unbecoming

Opposition Leader Don Polye today decried the standoff between the disciplinary forces at the weekend in Port Moresby.

Polye described it as "unbecoming and indecorous" and urged them to put it to a rest.

"Such behaviour of taking law into their own hands by disciplined forces has cast fear in the lives of our people and is a bad example in our community," he said.

"It sends a bad signal to our investors and tourists.

"Public safety and security are at stake this festive season.

"Our people seemed to have lost trust in them."

Polye commended the officers from the top hierarchy of the forces for pledging each other to investigate the fight.

"Those responsible should face the full force of our laws," he said.

" The bosses should take disciplinary actions against those responsible."

Polye said he wished those who have been hospitalised well, adding he was looking forward to their recovery from the hospital.

He condemned the looting of shops at 3-Mile and Erima by opportunists and also called on police to arrest those who instigated it.

Polye has called on the government to make funds available for the investigation into the incident and its aftermaths.

According to reports, the fight began at Boroko, NCD in the early hours of Saturday when police attempted to arrest intoxicated soldiers.

He also condemned the killing of a senior police officer in Western Highlands in the line of duty.