PPC Central dismisses rumors of ethnic clashes along the Hiritano Highway

The Central Provincial Police Commander, has dismissed rumors of ethnic clashes along Hiritano Highway.

Senior Inspector Joseph Salle confirmed with NBC News today, no reports of deaths, adding, the highway remains open at this stage.

He responded to social media speculations claiming retaliatory attacks between two groups and dismissed the posts as unfounded

He said this after the death of four people, just meters away from Waigani Police station in Port Moresby on Monday.

PPC Salle, warned of past experiences of retaliation, and is encouraging the public to exercise precaution at all times when travelling the Hiritano Highway.

Meantime, the Central Police boss, indicated that few people are expected to give statements to Central police on the incident.

He says the atrocity at Waigani market, claiming the lives of two Goilalas, one Engan, and one Eastern Highlander, must be probed.

According to acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, NCD and Central Commander, Benjamin Turi, the report is sketchy at this time, as no accounts have been gathered from the two ethnic groups.

He confirmed, that police officers in Central are patrolling their areas of operation in the Province, and that police units are monitoring possible locations in the city where either group may meet to cause trouble.