Milne Bay Police have tasked its Provincial Government to take appropriate measures to eliminate and neutralize areas that pose threats to the business community and administration, amid escalating criminal activities in the province in recent times. An immediate plan by the provincial government going forward will be to remove illegal settlements that spouted and expanded over the years in and around the main business centre in town, starting today. “We have advised the Provincial Government to take appropriate measures to eliminate areas that pose a threat to the town and the administration.” “The Provincial government has come up with a plan for those that are willing to go back to their island,” said Milne Bay Provincial Police Commander, Superintendent Peter Barkie. “We have accepted the plan from the provincial government and the people will start moving on Monday.” PPC Barkie said that the repatriation might take more than a month due to logistic constraints. He also said that their objectives are to neutralize the threat so to create an environment that is secure, safe and peaceful for the people of Milne bay to go about their business. This plan has come about after the looting of businesses in the town by a group of men just over a week ago. Meanwhile, during this attack which led to a shootout between police and criminals, 13 Police personnel have lost their homes and they have been camping out at the Police Station. PPC Barkie said he is working on finding them proper accommodation in the barracks with some families already been given a room for their families to stay in. [caption id="attachment_7916" align="alignnone" width="445"] Picture sourced: burning of houses at the Alotau Police Barracks recently[/caption]