The Papua New Guinea police commissioner, Gari Baki, has called on the relatives of two slain policemen to reopen Highlands Highway.
PNG Police Commissioner, Gary Baki. Photo: EMTV
The two officers were on duty in Wabag in Enga Province when they were killed during this year's elections.
The relatives have blocked the key road at Wabag for nearly a week demanding compensation.
But Mr Baki said they could not hold the nation to ransom.
He said it was not a responsible way to address the issue and the tribesmen of late policemen Jimmy Golang of Jiwaka and Alex Kopa of Chimbu provinces should not resort to such tactics to seek compensation.
Mr Baki said the police constabulary had not paid compensation in any form whatsoever for officers killed in the line of duty in its 128 year history.