The first gun surrender programme in Koroba-Lake Kopiago district has resulted in the voluntary handover of 20 factory-made firearms, 50 homemade guns, a hand grenade, bows and arrows at Yaluba Primary School in Hela province.
The surrender took place last Wednesday, October 7, as Hela’s gun amnesty programme continues across communities.
Related news: https://www.nbc.com.pg/post/41040/20-factory-made-guns-surrendered-in-koroba-lake-kopiago-district-2
Hela Province is where Prime Minister James Marape comes from.
Hela Provincial Police Commander Inspector Arau Mairi in a statement confirmed the weapons were surrendered by members of participating communities during the programme.
The surrender was witnessed by Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Minister William Bando, PPC Mairi, Defence personnel, police officers and community members.
PPC Mairi acknowledged Governor Undialu for taking the lead in the province’s gun amnesty programme.
He also thanked community leaders, youths and residents who voluntarily surrendered illegal firearms as part of efforts to make Hela safe.
PPC Mairi said neighboring villages and communities in Pureni were expected to surrender illegal firearms as the programme continued across Koroba-Lake Kopiago.
He encouraged all gun owners and holders to come forward and surrender factory-made firearms, homemade guns, ammunition, hand grenades, bows and arrows, wire catapults and other offensive weapons.
“All gun owners and holders are encouraged to come forward and surrender factory-made firearms, home-made guns, ammunition, hand grenades, bows and arrows, wire catapults and other offensive weapons,” PPC Mairi said.
He said people participating in the surrender programme would not be arrested for the weapons they handed in and would not be subjected to searches or cordon-and-search operations on the event day.
“No arrest for the weapons you hand in. No search of persons attending. No cordon-and-search in your community on event day. You will be issued a numbered receipt,” he said.
PPC Mairi said weapons could also be surrendered through a church or community leader on behalf of the owner under the same arrangements.
He said Tebi and Tagali Local Level Governments in Tari-Pori district had already surrendered illegal weapons, with the programme now moving into Koroba-Lake Kopiago.
PPC Mairi said the surrender programme demonstrated that Hela communities were prepared to choose peace over guns.
Related news: https://www.thepngsun.com/tebi-llg-in-tari-surrenders-firearms-as-hela-gun-amnesty-continues/
“Hand your gun in. Protect your people. Choose Peace. Nogat Gun, Nogat Traibal Fait,” PPC Mairi said.
He warned that the protection offered under the amnesty would end after December 25, after which targeted enforcement operations would commence.