PPC Baim condemns Sakuanam attack
Madang Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Robert Baim, has condemned what he described as the “stupidity” of villagers who attack or support violence against police and other law enforcement officers.
His comment follows an attack on a Madang Police Task Force unit at Sakuanam village in Raikos District last week, during which police vehicles were reportedly pelted with stones and other missiles by local villagers.
According to a police situation report dated August 31, the Task Force unit was deployed to Sakuanam after receiving a request for assistance from Ileg police post to apprehend six wanted suspects, allegedly linked to willful murder and other criminal activities.
Police said the operation was also connected to threats and an earlier attack on Ileg police post and its Criminal Investigation Division officer, following mediation over a reported sorcery- related death.
The Task Force unit arrived at the village at about 4.30 am and searched the homes of the wanted suspects, but police said the suspects were not present.
The situation allegedly escalated shortly afterwards when police heard shouting, screaming, and the beating of a garamut.
The police report stated that villagers surrounded the officers from the darkness and began throwing stones, sticks, and other missiles, with some reportedly using sling shots.
One large stone narrowly missed an officer, while another struck a police vehicle identified in the report as ZDF 469, smashing its rear door and side window glass.
A stone also reportedly penetrated the vehicle and struck an Ileg auxiliary policeman in the leg. He was not seriously injured.
Police said two other stones struck the front door, where one of the officers was seated.
The officers eventually broke through a roadblock made from tree branches and large river stones and withdrew to the main Raikos highway near the Guave River.
The report said only two shots were fired by police during the confrontation, and these were fired into the air to scare off the attackers.
Additional manpower later arrived from Madang, and police returned to Sakuanam to seek the surrender of the suspects and those allegedly responsible for damaging the Task Force vehicle.
However, police said the village had been deserted, with residents having left their homes and moved further inland.
The report further stated that police encountered several roadblocks consisting of cut trees and large stones placed across the road.
Police claimed there were no community leaders or other residents available to receive their demands.
The situation report also stated that police officers subsequently burned houses in the village after becoming frustrated. It said no valuable properties were burned, apart from houses built mainly from bush materials.
Police estimated the damage to the Task Force vehicle at K7,295.30, including labour costs, based on a quotation from Ela Motors PNG Limited.
Superintendent Baim said police could not continue to tolerate attacks and threats against law enforcement officers serving communities.
He warned that police would take action to ensure people understand that the law is in place to protect communities, promote peace, and maintain public safety.
The PPC also called on residents to change their behaviour, particularly warning against the use of marijuana and consumption of homebrew.
“Stop smoking marijuana and drinking homebrews so that you can maintain a clear and healthy mind and properly differentiate between right and wrong,” he said.
Superintendent Baim reiterated that police would remain committed to protecting lives and maintaining law and order throughout Madang Province.
The police report said authorities would demand that those responsible surrender, including the six outstanding suspects identified during the initial raid, while the villagers would also be required to meet the cost of repairing the damaged police vehicle.