Nights of terror

Curfews provide respite

It was a relief for many terror-gripped town and city residents nationwide

following the government’s imposi

tion of a two-month curfew - which became effective on November 8.

The 9pm-to-spm curfew targets spe cific areas which the police consider crime infested.

The curfew, approved by a special

cabinet meeting on November 5, is part of the government’s moves to curb the rising crime.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chris Haiveta presented K 2 mil

lion (SUSI. 4 million) to Police

Commissioner Bob Nenta on November 7 for police to implement the curfew.

Another K 1 million ($US700,000) will be released for the operations in the

Highlands region.

While announcing the curfew, Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan said police had been compiling statistics and mapping known criminal localities in certain sub urbs of Port Moresby, Lae and Mt Hagen over the past 10 months, identifying areas topping the list for stolen vehicles, break ing-in and entering, rape and murder.

The statistics and general data, collect ed as part of the 1996 Year of Law Enforcement, were to be used in a nation wide campaign to curb crime, declaring an all-out war on criminals from this month until after the 1997 election. But the launch date had to be brought for ward, Sir Julius said, following the spate of killings in the National Capital District recently and general crime in other parts of the country.

Sir Julius said police were to get ade quate funds, manpower and equipment, including night-vision apparatus.

The government has also drawn up long-term measures which include a review of procedures relating to the issue of arms in the disciplined forces.

Immediately after Sir Julius’ announcement. Defence Minister Mathias Ijape instructed PNG Defence Force Commander Brigadier General Jerry Singirok to carry out a major stock-take of all firearms and ammunition issued to

soldiers in an effort to create a proper inventory of dangerous arms. The move was in direct response to concerns expressed by various groups that many government-issued weapons were in the hands of criminals.

Sir Julius expressed his concern over speculations that soldiers had been sup plying weapons to criminals.

“In light of these serious allegations levelled against the defence force, I have instructed the commander to take a stock take of all weapons issued to the members of the force,” Ijape said.

The government had earlier moved to amend the Firearms Act to bring the pre sent growth of illegally controlled weapons to a halt. Sir Julius said the pro posed amendments to the act would short ly be made available to parliament.

The proposed amendments seek to bring in stiff penalties for the illegal man ufacture or assistance in the manufacture of firearms.

Further, a moratorium on the issue of new firearms will be in place for three years at the discretion of the Minister for Police - no dealers’ licences will be issued, existing licences will be revoked and high-powered firearms will eventual

ly be phased out.

The move is in line with a common approach by South Pacific countries to control weapons in the region.

The issue was brought up at June’s Trobriand Island meeting of the Melanesian Spearhead Group and arose out of concern over the growing threat to the security in the region posed by the illegal import, ownership and use of weapons - especially guns.

The MSG had agreed to take a com mon approach to weapons control and sought the co-operation of other forum members, which was readily given. The seriousness of the threat is evident in the increasing use of guns in organised crime and as a means for individuals and groups to resolve grievances against each other, thereby taking the law into their own hands and adding to PNG’s problems of violent crimes. ■