The Commissioner of Police, David Manning, has warned squatters around the Porgera Mine in Enga province that thievery and ethnic violence will not be tolerated following multiple injuries and fatalities from recent confrontations. Over the past 48 hours security personnel have responded to a series of intergroup fighting violent confrontations on private land resulting in some criminals sustaining fatal wounds and injuries. "The killed or injured during confrontations with security personnel and amongst themselves, are common criminal outsiders attempting to steal gold from the mine and are fighting enemy clans,” said the Police Commissioner. “The number of injured or killed in the incidents that escalated over the last 48 hours is still being assessed. These squatters not only risk their lives to thieve, more seriously they risk the lives of their children who are sent in to steal rocks containing gold after they have been blasted with explosives.” "A further problem is that these squatter groups also fight with each other for illegal access to mine areas resulting in violence and the loss of life,” said Commissioner Manning. The Commissioner assured squatters and criminals that if they were to raise a weapon, they will be sacrificing their lives, as police and soldiers have zero tolerance for these actions. “Our security forces have my support, and that of the law, to protect themselves and others from acts of violence and criminality. When any individual raises a weapon to harm another person, police and soldiers will neutralize this threat.” “Our security personnel assess any threat to life and limb, so they can protect the public and workers as well as other security personnel,” Commissioner Manning added. The fighting factions have been warned that if they escalate violence again, security forces will intervene to detain or neutralize anyone attempting to use a weapon. All these matters will be investigated thoroughly. Joint security forces are tasked with a clear job to maintain public order and will carry out that duty impartially and fairly