26 Jan 2015

Investigation launched into police shooting in PNG

8:52 pm on 26 January 2015

Papua New Guinea's police commissioner says an investigation is underway into a police shooting at a Port Moresby market, and has promised that those responsible will face justice.

The city's metropolitan superintendent has also met with elders of Hanuabada village, who have demanded 4 million US dollars compensation for the killings.

A Police spokesperson says the investigation team has already interviewed a number of family members and witnesses.

He says it appears the killing occurred when national capital district reservists stormed the market to disperse betel nut vendors and the two men died in subsequent clashes.

He says the police commissioner Geoffrey Vaki has promised that police will arrest those responsible for the killings, saying there is no place in the force for trigger happy officers.

A road block through the village remains in place police say they are respecting a ban that has been placed on officers from entering Hanuabada.

The Police Commissioner of Papua New Guinea, Geoffrey Vaki.

The Police Commissioner of Papua New Guinea, Geoffrey Vaki. Photo: Dominic Kakas