Bank smashed and Asian shops looted in Milne Bay Province, PNG

Hundreds of people went on a rampage in Popodetta on Friday and looted Asian-owned shops in the town. Reports reaching the Post Courier last night say the rioters smashed the Bank South Pacific branch, the Air Niugini office and emptied the six Asian-owned shops in the town at mid-day.

A recent riot in the Highlands town of Goroka in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea

The rampage and looting was sparked off by oil palm growers who had come into town to collect their money but were turned away by the bank. The farmers could not be paid because the bank could not clear the cheque paid in by the Higaturu Oil Palm Company because of a communication problem that day.

The reports say the frustrated oil palm growers smashed the windows and the situation turned ugly from there when settlers living on the outskirts of the town and the public joined in. The reports say the police were unable to do anything because they were outnumbered.

Papua New Guinea police on the lookout for more destruction of properties

The eyewitness said several people were treated at the Popondetta General Hospital for injuries sustained during the rampage. The reports said that one doctor’s vehicle was smashed and he was nearly injured in the riot. The reports said BSP bank remained closed for the rest of Friday and it is understood, the bank will be closed this week until further notice from headquarters.

By Simon Eroro of the Post Courier

*** The riots are orchestrated by people who are frustrated with the government for not delivering the basic goods and services. However, resorting to riots to try to get the attention from the government to do something positive doesn't help but makes problems even worse. More so, the cost of destruction caused is beyond any one's guess worth millions of kina.

Though, I know what many Papua New Guineans feel toward their government, please; try to address it in a proper way to get the government's attention. It seems to me that, the government's formulation of a committee to address similar issues of this nature is slowly out of sight and eventually everyone will not know whether or not the committee will live up to it's intended purpose. Only time would tell.

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