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Category: Crime

  • Chinese worker’s absconding charge dropped but still to be deported

    Asia Pacific Report newsdesk

    The Chinese worker who left police custody on the way to the airport on Thursday night had a charge of absconding – which carries a maximum sentence of five years – withdrawn when he appeared in the Auckland District Court today.

    The worker, who was said by his lawyer to be in a very distressed state after 10-days in custody, had opened an unlocked door of the patrol car on the way to the airport and got out.

    He had hoped to recover lost property and money he was owed. He then walked for seven hours’ confused and disoriented before speaking to an early morning exerciser who spoke Mandarin and they agreed that he should surrender himself to the police again, according to a statement by Unite Union.

    The worker’s lawyer, Matt Robson, who represents nine of the 10 Chinese workers detained, said he had suffered migrant labour exploitation and he should be released to allow the allegations to be investigated.

    However, the magistrate said he had no power to do so and the worker was remanded in police custody again on outstanding immigration matters.

    The worker asked to speak to the court and begged to be able to work in New Zealand so that he could earn back the large amount of money paid in fees to get here and provide for his parents, wife and child back in China.

    Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi has said this case was not one of trafficking. The person he had delegated the authority to make this decision reportedly did so after examining the email trail documents for 20 minutes.

    False promises, huge fees
    But the government’s own website on trafficking includes the circumstances of these workers who were recruited and made false promises in China and paid huge fees for fake visas that they thought would be work visas and were then told they could change from their visitor status once they arrived, which was a lie.

    At the top of the site page is a summary statement:

    “The United Nations defines people trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by deceptive, coercive or other improper means for the purpose of exploiting that person. It is a global crime, committed at the expense of victims who are robbed of their dignity and freedom.”

    Unite Union advocate Mike Treen asked Minister Kris Faafoi to explain which part of “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by deceptive, coercive or other improper means for the purpose of exploiting that person” did not apply in this and so many other cases that were not investigated.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • Chinese worker’s absconding charge dropped but still to be deported

    Asia Pacific Report newsdesk

    The Chinese worker who left police custody on the way to the airport on Thursday night had a charge of absconding – which carries a maximum sentence of five years – withdrawn when he appeared in the Auckland District Court today.

    The worker, who was said by his lawyer to be in a very distressed state after 10-days in custody, had opened an unlocked door of the patrol car on the way to the airport and got out.

    He had hoped to recover lost property and money he was owed. He then walked for seven hours’ confused and disoriented before speaking to an early morning exerciser who spoke Mandarin and they agreed that he should surrender himself to the police again, according to a statement by Unite Union.

    The worker’s lawyer, Matt Robson, who represents nine of the 10 Chinese workers detained, said he had suffered migrant labour exploitation and he should be released to allow the allegations to be investigated.

    However, the magistrate said he had no power to do so and the worker was remanded in police custody again on outstanding immigration matters.

    The worker asked to speak to the court and begged to be able to work in New Zealand so that he could earn back the large amount of money paid in fees to get here and provide for his parents, wife and child back in China.

    Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi has said this case was not one of trafficking. The person he had delegated the authority to make this decision reportedly did so after examining the email trail documents for 20 minutes.

    False promises, huge fees
    But the government’s own website on trafficking includes the circumstances of these workers who were recruited and made false promises in China and paid huge fees for fake visas that they thought would be work visas and were then told they could change from their visitor status once they arrived, which was a lie.

    At the top of the site page is a summary statement:

    “The United Nations defines people trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by deceptive, coercive or other improper means for the purpose of exploiting that person. It is a global crime, committed at the expense of victims who are robbed of their dignity and freedom.”

    Unite Union advocate Mike Treen asked Minister Kris Faafoi to explain which part of “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of a person by deceptive, coercive or other improper means for the purpose of exploiting that person” did not apply in this and so many other cases that were not investigated.

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    This post was originally published on Radio Free.

  • Asian American Hate Crimes Up %150 During Covid & Fracking Industry Banned Along Delaware River

    Via America’s Lawyer: Investigators continue probing the Atlanta spa shootings, while conversations about hate crimes and the escalation of violence against Asian-Americans ignite a media firestorm. RT correspondent Brigida Santos joins Mike Papantonio to discuss the ripple effect this tragedy has had across the country. Also, a four-state agency declares a ban on fracking along the Delaware River. Mike Papantonio & Farron Cousins discuss more. […]

    The post Asian American Hate Crimes Up %150 During Covid & Fracking Industry Banned Along Delaware River appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Waze procured explosives found in SUV near Ambani’s house: NIA

    The agency, which is probing the case, has also found that Waze along with his driver parked the SUV near Ambani’s house

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • NCB arrests actor Ajaz Khan in drugs case

    His name had cropped up during the interrogation of arrested drug peddler Shadab Batata

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Terrorism Lawsuits Reveal Insane Relationship Between Saudi Arabia & United States

    Via America’s Lawyer: U.S. officials remain enamored by lucrative U.S.-Saudi arms deals while turning a blind eye to crimes of the Kingdom. Mike Papantonio and is joined by Attorney Chris Paulos to explain more. Click here to learn more about terrorism lawsuits. Transcript: *This transcript was generated by a third-party transcription software company, so please excuse any typos. Mike Papantonio:             Okay. […]

    The post Terrorism Lawsuits Reveal Insane Relationship Between Saudi Arabia & United States appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Lindsey Graham Pretends To Be Rambo With Insane Rant On Fox News

    Over the weekend, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham defended his anti-gun control stance by saying that he needs a high-powered weapon in case a natural disaster destroys South Carolina and he has to fight off gangs. The Senator was immediately roasted on social media over these absurd claims, but the truth is that many Republicans see […]

    The post Lindsey Graham Pretends To Be Rambo With Insane Rant On Fox News appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Saudi Arabia Terrorism EXPOSED In Navy Base Attack Lawsuit

    Via America’s Lawyer: The kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to face lawsuits over its proven connections to terrorist attacks, including the deadly mass shooting at a Pensacola naval base. Mike Papantonio and is joined by Attorney Chris Paulos to explain more. Transcript: *This transcript was generated by a third-party transcription software company, so please excuse any typos. Mike Papantonio:             The […]

    The post Saudi Arabia Terrorism EXPOSED In Navy Base Attack Lawsuit appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Indonesian suicide bombing rocks Makassar Cathedral on Palm Sunday

    Asia Pacific Report newsdesk

    A bomb believed to have been detonated by two suicide attackers in Indonesia exploded outside a Catholic cathedral in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday morning, wounding at least 20 and killing the assailants.

    According to the National Police, the bombers arrived at the cathedral on a motorbike, reports Gisela Swaragita in The Jakarta Post.

    A church security guard was trying to prevent the vehicle from entering the church’s grounds when the bomb exploded.

    “There were two people riding on a motorbike when the explosion happened at the main gate of the church. The perpetrators were trying to enter the compound,” National Police spokesman Brigadier General Argo Yuwono said.

    The blast occurred just after the congregants finished a service for Palm Sunday, which is the first day of Holy Week leading up to Easter and commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

    “I strongly condemn this act of terrorism and I have ordered the police chief to thoroughly investigate the perpetrators’ networks and tear down the networks to their roots,” President Joko Widodo said in an online broadcast following the attack, reports Al Jazeera.

    Father Wilhelmus Tulak, a priest who was leading mass at the time of the explosion, told Indonesian media the church’s security guards suspected two motorists who wanted to enter the church.

    Confronted by guards
    One of them detonated their explosives and died near the gate after being confronted by guards.

    He said the explosion occurred at about 10:30am (03:30 GMT) and that none of the worshippers was killed.

    Security camera footage showed a blast that blew flame, smoke and debris into the middle of the road.

    Makassar Mayor Danny Pomanto said the blast could have caused far more casualties if it had taken place at the church’s main gate instead of a side entrance.

    Police have previously blamed the JAD group for suicide attacks in 2018 on churches and a police post in the city of Surabaya that killed more than 30 people.

    Boy Rafli Amar, the head of the country’s National Counterterrorism Agency, described Sunday’s attack as an act of “terrorism”.

    Religious makeup
    Makassar, Sulawesi’s biggest city, reflects the religious makeup of Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country with a substantial Christian minority and followers of other religions.

    “Whatever the motive is, this act isn’t justified by any religion because it harms not just one person but others, too,” Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister, said in a statement.

    Gomar Gultom, head of the Indonesian Council of Churches, described the attack as a “cruel incident” as Christians were celebrating Palm Sunday, and urged people to remain calm and trust the authorities.

    Indonesia’s deadliest attack took place on the tourist island of Bali in 2002, when bombers killed 202 people, most of them foreign tourists.

    In subsequent years, security forces in Indonesia scored some major successes in tackling armed groups but, more recently, there has been a resurgence of violence.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • Indonesian suicide bombing rocks Makassar Cathedral on Palm Sunday

    Asia Pacific Report newsdesk

    A bomb believed to have been detonated by two suicide attackers in Indonesia exploded outside a Catholic cathedral in Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday morning, wounding at least 20 and killing the assailants.

    According to the National Police, the bombers arrived at the cathedral on a motorbike, reports Gisela Swaragita in The Jakarta Post.

    A church security guard was trying to prevent the vehicle from entering the church’s grounds when the bomb exploded.

    “There were two people riding on a motorbike when the explosion happened at the main gate of the church. The perpetrators were trying to enter the compound,” National Police spokesman Brigadier General Argo Yuwono said.

    The blast occurred just after the congregants finished a service for Palm Sunday, which is the first day of Holy Week leading up to Easter and commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.

    “I strongly condemn this act of terrorism and I have ordered the police chief to thoroughly investigate the perpetrators’ networks and tear down the networks to their roots,” President Joko Widodo said in an online broadcast following the attack, reports Al Jazeera.

    Father Wilhelmus Tulak, a priest who was leading mass at the time of the explosion, told Indonesian media the church’s security guards suspected two motorists who wanted to enter the church.

    Confronted by guards
    One of them detonated their explosives and died near the gate after being confronted by guards.

    He said the explosion occurred at about 10:30am (03:30 GMT) and that none of the worshippers was killed.

    Security camera footage showed a blast that blew flame, smoke and debris into the middle of the road.

    Makassar Mayor Danny Pomanto said the blast could have caused far more casualties if it had taken place at the church’s main gate instead of a side entrance.

    Police have previously blamed the JAD group for suicide attacks in 2018 on churches and a police post in the city of Surabaya that killed more than 30 people.

    Boy Rafli Amar, the head of the country’s National Counterterrorism Agency, described Sunday’s attack as an act of “terrorism”.

    Religious makeup
    Makassar, Sulawesi’s biggest city, reflects the religious makeup of Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country with a substantial Christian minority and followers of other religions.

    “Whatever the motive is, this act isn’t justified by any religion because it harms not just one person but others, too,” Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister, said in a statement.

    Gomar Gultom, head of the Indonesian Council of Churches, described the attack as a “cruel incident” as Christians were celebrating Palm Sunday, and urged people to remain calm and trust the authorities.

    Indonesia’s deadliest attack took place on the tourist island of Bali in 2002, when bombers killed 202 people, most of them foreign tourists.

    In subsequent years, security forces in Indonesia scored some major successes in tackling armed groups but, more recently, there has been a resurgence of violence.

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    This post was originally published on Radio Free.

  • Atlanta Spa Massacre Sparks National Debate Over Hate Crimes & Political Rhetoric

    Via America’s Lawyer: Investigators continue probing the Atlanta spa shootings, while conversations about hate crimes and the escalation of violence against Asian-Americans ignite a media firestorm. RT correspondent Brigida Santos joins Mike Papantonio to discuss the ripple effect this tragedy has had across the country. Transcript: *This transcript was generated by a third-party transcription software company, so please excuse any typos. […]

    The post Atlanta Spa Massacre Sparks National Debate Over Hate Crimes & Political Rhetoric appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Terrorism Lawsuit Ties Radicalized Navy Shooter To Saudi Royal Family

    Via America’s Lawyer: The kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to face lawsuits over its proven connections to terrorist attacks, including the 9/11 hijackings, the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, and the deadly mass shooting at a Pensacola naval base. Meanwhile, U.S. officials remain enamored by lucrative U.S.-Saudi arms deals while turning a blind eye to crimes of […]

    The post Terrorism Lawsuit Ties Radicalized Navy Shooter To Saudi Royal Family appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • NIA invokes UAPA against suspended Mumbai police officer Sachin Waze

    The ATS contended that the plea of NIA was not maintainable because it had not received directions from the state for handing over the case

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • NRA Should Be Classified As A Terrorist Organization

    The NRA is under investigation for potential criminal activity, there is ample evidence that they have taken money from hostile foreign countries to influence American politics, they prop up an industry that profits off death – they are, by all possible accounts, a terrorist organization and should be treated as such. The latest tragedies in […]

    The post NRA Should Be Classified As A Terrorist Organization appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Sex Trafficking Victims: The New Online Commodity For Industry Giants

    Via America’s Lawyer: While federal lawmakers continue to grill Big Tech over the sharing of content that encourages extremism, what about content that encourages sexual exploitation and human trafficking? Attorney, author, and founder of Runaway Girl Carissa Phelps joins Mike Papantonio to explain more. Click here to learn more about human trafficking lawsuits. Transcript: *This transcript was generated by a […]

    The post Sex Trafficking Victims: The New Online Commodity For Industry Giants appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Sex Trafficking Industry & Wall Street Lenders Form A New Alliance

    Via America’s Lawyer: Attorney, author, and founder of Runaway Girl Carissa Phelps joins Mike Papantonio to explain how outlets like PornHub often turn a blind eye to child porn and rape scenes shot in hotel rooms well outside of Hollywood. What’s worse – Wall Street firms have played a major role in the growth of these practices. Click here to […]

    The post Sex Trafficking Industry & Wall Street Lenders Form A New Alliance appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Trial of ex-priest accused of child abuse in Timor postponed to May

    Asia Pacific Report newsdesk

    The trial of a former US priest accused of child abuse in Timor-Leste due to resume tomorrow at the Oecusse Court has been postponed until May 24, according to judicial sources.

    The president of the Court of Appeal, Deolindo dos Santos, confirmed the postponement to Lusa news agency, explaining that he was asked by the lawyers for the defendant, Richard Daschbach. He was concerned with the current conditions due to the covid-19 sanitary lockdown in the Timorese capital.

    The judge explained that the rules of the lockdown obliged anyone who has to travel to present negative covid-19 tests, and that the conduct of the trial required the trip to the Oecusse enclave of one of the judges hearing the case, the translator, the lawyers of defence and the defendant, members of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and other parties involved.

    “An application was made for the defendant’s defence to the Oecusse Court, which notified the Public Ministry to respond. The court received this response and issued an order to postpone it until May 24,” said dos Santos.

    Daschbach, who is under house arrest in Dili, began trial in February for crimes of child abuse, child pornography and domestic violence.

    The trial, which is closed to the public, had two sessions scheduled on March 22 and 23.

    Daschbach was expelled from the Congregation of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in East Timor and from the priesthood by the Vatican for the “committed and admitted abuse of minors” in an orphanage in the country, Topu Honis.

    “SVD Timor-Leste wants to emphatically reiterate that based on the heinous crime committed and admitted of child abuse at the Topu Honis orphanage, Mr Richard Daschbach was expelled, after an ecclesiastical criminal process, from the religious and clerical state by the Congregation for Doctrine da Fé, in the Vatican, on November 6, 2018,” said a recent communiqué of the organisation.

    Deolindo dos Santos told Lusa that given the evolution of the cases of covid-19 and with sanitary fences in effect, the judiciary was working to “enable judgments to take place at a distance” by video conferencing.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • Trial of ex-priest accused of child abuse in Timor postponed to May

    Asia Pacific Report newsdesk

    The trial of a former US priest accused of child abuse in Timor-Leste due to resume tomorrow at the Oecusse Court has been postponed until May 24, according to judicial sources.

    The president of the Court of Appeal, Deolindo dos Santos, confirmed the postponement to Lusa news agency, explaining that he was asked by the lawyers for the defendant, Richard Daschbach. He was concerned with the current conditions due to the covid-19 sanitary lockdown in the Timorese capital.

    The judge explained that the rules of the lockdown obliged anyone who has to travel to present negative covid-19 tests, and that the conduct of the trial required the trip to the Oecusse enclave of one of the judges hearing the case, the translator, the lawyers of defence and the defendant, members of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and other parties involved.

    “An application was made for the defendant’s defence to the Oecusse Court, which notified the Public Ministry to respond. The court received this response and issued an order to postpone it until May 24,” said dos Santos.

    Daschbach, who is under house arrest in Dili, began trial in February for crimes of child abuse, child pornography and domestic violence.

    The trial, which is closed to the public, had two sessions scheduled on March 22 and 23.

    Daschbach was expelled from the Congregation of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) in East Timor and from the priesthood by the Vatican for the “committed and admitted abuse of minors” in an orphanage in the country, Topu Honis.

    “SVD Timor-Leste wants to emphatically reiterate that based on the heinous crime committed and admitted of child abuse at the Topu Honis orphanage, Mr Richard Daschbach was expelled, after an ecclesiastical criminal process, from the religious and clerical state by the Congregation for Doctrine da Fé, in the Vatican, on November 6, 2018,” said a recent communiqué of the organisation.

    Deolindo dos Santos told Lusa that given the evolution of the cases of covid-19 and with sanitary fences in effect, the judiciary was working to “enable judgments to take place at a distance” by video conferencing.

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    This post was originally published on Radio Free.

  • Thousands gather to protest against Covid lockdown in London

    Some demonstrators detained by police after gathering in Hyde Park for Piers Corbyn speech

    Thousands marched under a heavy police presence through central London in protest against lockdown on Saturday, with officers leading small numbers of people away in handcuffs.

    Demonstrators gathered at Speakers’ Corner by Hyde Park at about midday, where the anti-lockdown figurehead Piers Corbyn gave a speech saying he would “never take a vaccine” and falsely claiming that the scale of deaths from Covid was not dissimilar to those from flu each year.

    Related: Johnson’s government is deeply authoritarian: the policing bill proves it | Daniel Trilling

    Continue reading…

    This post was originally published on Human rights | The Guardian.

  • Juvenile (In)justice

    Larissa Salazar grew up in Wyoming, and when she was in eighth grade, she got in a fight on a school bus. That snowballed into her spending 16 months in a state juvenile facility. 

    Reporter Tennessee Watson follows Larissa’s experience in the juvenile justice system in Wyoming, a state that locks up kids at the highest rate in the nation. Larissa’s mom says that instead of helping her daughter, the system made things worse.


    Don’t miss out on the next big story. Get the Weekly Reveal newsletter today.

    This post was originally published on Reveal.

  • Lawsuits Target Wall Street Banks & Porn Industry Giants For Their Role In Human Trafficking

    Via America’s Lawyer: While federal lawmakers continue to grill Big Tech over the sharing of content that encourages extremism, what about content that encourages sexual exploitation and human trafficking? Attorney, author, and founder of Runaway Girl Carissa Phelps joins Mike Papantonio to explain how outlets like PornHub often turn a blind eye to child porn and rape scenes […]

    The post Lawsuits Target Wall Street Banks & Porn Industry Giants For Their Role In Human Trafficking appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Death for man who shot police inspector in Batla House encounter

    Rs 10 lakh of Rs 11 lakh fine imposed should be released to the inspector’s family

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Tensions High As Verdict Against Former Officer Charged In George Floyd’s Murder Is Made

    Via America’s Lawyer: Jury selection begins for the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin who is charged with murdering George Floyd. Meanwhile, federal legislators pass a policing act in Floyd’s honor which bans chokeholds and reforms qualified immunity so individuals can sue officers that break the law. RT Correspondent Brigida Santos joins Mike Papantonio to explain more. Transcript: *This […]

    The post Tensions High As Verdict Against Former Officer Charged In George Floyd’s Murder Is Made appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Michael Cohen Issues Ominous Warning To Trump Organization CFO

    Donald Trump’s former lawyer / fixer has been called back to talk with investigators in New York, and he issued an ominous warning to Allen Weisselberg, the CFO of the Trump Organization. The warning was fairly simple, but it spoke volumes: If he is smart, he’ll cooperate. This suggests that Cohen knows a lot more […]

    The post Michael Cohen Issues Ominous Warning To Trump Organization CFO appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • Uttar Pradesh: Minor gang rape survivor’s father dies after being hit by truck

    Another case is to be filed in the accident of the victim’s father apart from the rape case, said Kanpur’s Senior Superintendent of Police

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Republican Donor Accused Of Orchestrating Largest Tax Fraud Scheme EVER

    A billionaire Republican donor has been accused of pulling off the largest tax fraud scheme ever in the United States, and not surprisingly, Republicans have been completely silent on the issue since the news broke last week. Regardless of Party affiliation, the wealthy elite in America need to be audited more stringently and more frequently […]

    The post Republican Donor Accused Of Orchestrating Largest Tax Fraud Scheme EVER appeared first on The Ring of Fire Network.

    This post was originally published on The Ring of Fire.

  • More power for Fiji’s police force – draft bill enables eavesdropping

    By Anish Chand in Suva

    Fiji police will have sweeping powers to monitor communications and forcefully enter premises to place tracking devices under the proposed Police Bill 2020.

    The draft legislation is now open for public submissions and will replace the Police Act 1965 once passed by Parliament.

    Police will have the powers to secretly or forcefully enter any premises to place tracking devices, states the draft law.

    They will need to obtain a warrant from a High Court judge and “specify the vehicle, craft, or conveyance of any kind or goods that may be tracked, specify the premises, vehicle, craft, or conveyance of any kind that may be entered pursuant to the warrant”, states the draft law.

    Police can also secretly monitor and record “communications” of persons about to commit a crime or have committed a crime if the draft law is passed in its current form.

    The law also allows police to recruit an “informer” who is described as “any person who, whether formally recruited by police or otherwise, provides information in relation to anything sought by police for any lawful purpose”.

    Police officers will not be allowed to join a union, states the draft law and it will be unlawful for them to go on strike or to take any industrial action.

    Fiji Village radio website reports that the draft bill proposes that a police officer or special constable would be able to search a crime scene and seize potential evidence without a warrant.

    The proposed law says a police officer or special constable may search any person, animal, vehicle or vessel at the crime scene or in the immediate vicinity of such crime scene.

    Any person who fails to comply with this could be sent to prison for up to five years.

    Anish Chand is a Fiji Times reporter. This report is republished with permission.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • Father of molestation victim shot dead by accused in UP’s Hathras

    The victim had lodged a case of molestation of his daughter two and a half years ago

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.

  • Rioters, looters strike PNG cities as nation mourns death of Somare

    By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby

    Rioters described by Papua New Guinea police as “opportunists” taking advantage of the death of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare have looted shops and destroyed cars in three provinces – Morobe’s Lae, National Capital District (NCD) suburb Gordon and New Ireland’s Kavieng.

    Shots were fired and people ran helter-skelter, scurrying for cover, as police were stretched to bring the looters under control on Monday.

    Police Minister William Onglo sternly warned opportunists not to take advantage of the loss of PNG’s founding father to riot or cause public disorder.

    “Rioters and looters will be dealt with in the strongest term possible,” he said.

    “Rioting and looting will never be the way the Melanesians resort, please show respect and honour during mourning.”

    Onglo said the PNG and Melanesian way was to take the loss of Sir Michael Somare on Friday to heart.

    Lae’s metropolitan commander Chief Inspector Chris Kunyanban said a crowd had gathered at 2-Mile outside Lae with the intention of marching to the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.

    Police confront crowd
    “Police confronted the crowd at 2-Mile and told them they were not allowed to stage such a march,” he said.

    “The crowd started pelting the policemen with whatever they could get their hands on.

    “Several shots were fired from the crowd at the policemen and we had to fire tear gas into the crowd.

    The National 010321
    “End of an era” – how The National reported the death of founding Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare on Monday. Image: The National

    “The crowd was dispersed, however, another group started gathering at Bumayong and Bumbu.

    “Both areas were contained by police.”

    Across to Kavieng, the largest supermarket, Joe Tong, was raided by opportunists who waited for police to leave after an awareness programme on the public holiday.

    A crowbar was used to open the doors and the rioters rushed in to loot the supermarket.

    Raiders in and out
    Station commander Chief Sergeant Gabriel N’Drihin said the raiders were in and out in seconds.

    Policemen arrived when they had already left.

    In Port Moresby’s Gordon, a shop was looted after it was alleged that the shop owner tried to open its doors and looting was also reported at 2-Mile.

    Assistant Commissioner of Police NCD/Central command Anthony Wagambie Jr said citizens would have access to basic necessities throughout the mourning period.

    “We will be out in full force to ensure people moved about peacefully,” he said.

    Later in the afternoon, The National’s Lae reporter Jimmy Kabele reported several attacks on PMVs, private vehicles and stores in Lae.

    Kalebe went to the area and said several roadblocks were set up by people and sticks and stones were strewn across the road.

    The situation on the ground in Lae was tense and police were out on main roads to tell people to go home while vehicles were told to get off the roads for the day.

    Chief Superintendent Kunyanban said some police vehicles were stoned.

    Asia Pacific Report republishes The National articles with permission.

    This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.

  • NIA arrests four persons accused of narco- terrorism in J&K

    The accused were involved in cross-border smuggling of heroin in huge quantities from Pakistan and were supplying the same in J&K

    This post was originally published on The Asian Age | Home.