A national wide illegal gun amnesty will commence in Western Highlands Province this Wednesday with intensive awareness activities, according to Police Minister Sir John Pundari.
After a 14-day opportunity for illegal gun surrender has lapsed, police will be deployed for a firm, intelligence-led enforcement.
The province will launch its amnesty campaign coinciding with the opening of Kimininga police accommodation and barracks facilities.
These structures were funded by the Australian Federal Police.
Following the Western Highlands, other provinces will follow including:
• Enga will begin its amnesty on Friday, Feb 6th
• Simbu will begin on Sunday, 8th February
• Eastern Highlands begins on Monday, Feb 09th
• Morobe will commence on Tuesday, Feb 10th
Sir John, accompanied by senior police officers, will travel to the provinces to launch the amnesty.
Whether he will travel to all other provinces for the same is not clear at this time.
Sir John was reported on a news story, saying the National Government has intensified its push to remove illegal firearms from communities.
He announced a strengthened nationwide gun amnesty with a sharp operational focus on the Highlands, where police say gun violence continues to claim lives and destabilize most districts.