The man appointed to oversee Papua New Guinea's State of Emergency operations in Southern Highlands province says he will work to bring the community on side.
PNG's government declared a state of emergency in the province on Friday.
This came a day after supporters of a losing candidate in the regional election went on a rampage in Mendi, destroying a commercial aircraft and setting fire to the local courthouse, the provincial governor's residence and other buildings.
As part of the emergency provisions, the government has suspended the provincial government and is sending armed forces to restore order.
Following this, supporters of the suspended government have been mobilising with high-powered weapons, threatening violence.
A former top policeman Thomas Eluh, who was the acting provincial administrator in Southern Highlands until earlier this year, has been placed in charge of the nine-month emergency operations.
He spoke to Johnny Blades who asked him about the suspension of the provincial government.
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Thomas Eluh Photo: RNZI