Capital city Police boss calls for Vagrancy law following ethnic lawlessness

Police in the nation's capital believe introduction of the Vagrancy Act by Parliament will assist them to police the city.

With an estimated million inhabitants in the National Capital District, acting NCD/Central Commander Peter Guinness, "admits that the police are outnumbered. He is calling on the government to seriously reconsider the Vagrancy Act which could help control the movement of people.

"We do respect their rights to move but it must be genuine when travelling into the city or towns."

Assistant Police Commissioner [ACP] Guinness made this call following another week of ethnic related disorders in the country's largest city.

This morning, ACP Guinness provided an update on the fight that occurred at Gordon's bus stop in the Port Moresby Northeast Electorate. He explained that this incident was related to a confrontation that took place on Thursday at the same location, where a crew member from Bus Sixteen had an altercation with a vendor. The vendor, who is from Enga Province, was seriously injured during the incident.

He said during the fight several vehicles were damaged but quick police action contained the situation.

Ethnic violence occurred in Eight Mile this week, in the Port Moresby North East Electorate, as retaliation after a theft went wrong.

ACP Guinness said a criminal from Eastern Highlands was caught stealing from  houses and a church and was beaten by the residents.

"The man was captured and was seriously wounded. He was assisted by the police to Six Mile Hospital and was treated but escaped."

He added that the wounded suspect returned home to Eight Mile. When his tribe's men saw his wounds they retaliated and put up a flight on Wednesday against the people who caught him stealing, which resulted in one dead.

ACP Guinness said backup police units stopped the fight and transported the body of the deceased to the Port Moresby General Hospital morgue.

"Police homicide team were also on site who had identified witnesses and investigation has started into the death of that man. Possible suspects were identified, and police are working around the clock to pick up suspects involved in the fight, murder, and stealing."