Police Commissioner, David Manning Photo: PNG PM Media
The family of a murdered Papua New Guinea policeman, along with other police families, are demanding the government take action to rein in lawlessness in Hela Province.
Senior Constable Nelson Kalimda was found near a river in the Magarima district of the Hela Province on Sunday afternoon.
The families detail a series of murders and wounding of police in Hela, or perpetrated by Hela warlords outside of the province, going back 20 years.
They have presented Prime Minister James Marape, who is also the MP for Tari-Pori in Hela, with a petition demanding action.
The families said despite all this, the suspects continue to roam free, with no charges laid.
They said any killing of a uniformed officer has to attract the maximum penalty - the death sentence.
The families want all the suspects involved in the killing of Nelson Kalimda held accountable. Currently, two are in custody but four more are being sought.
They also want an assurance from the Prime Minister James Marape that the lawlessness in Hela, where they say warlords operate with impunity, is dealt with.
And the petitioners said the mindless attitude of the people of Hela has to end.
They said if action is not taken they will call on their husbands and fathers to withdraw their services from the Hela Province police force.