CPL Group, a leading retailer and home-grown company, held a press conference today in regard to the recent civil unrest that occurred on Wednesday resulting in a number of their outlets being looted and burned down. The outlets including Stop n Shop Rainbow, North Waigani, Habour city and Badili were looted and burnt down by opportunists due to the alleged public servant increase in income tax. Chief Executive Officer of CPL Group, Navin Raju, said in light of the unfortunate series of events that took place in the Nations Capital, this has greatly affected 500 of their staff who are worried about whether they still have a job or not. He added with the shops now burnt down, this has seen people desperately running around looking for shops that are open in which are now seen lining up at smaller shops. Despite the unacceptable and outrageous acts from the opportunists, CPL has announced that they are in fact ready to resume business tomorrow, however, need assurance from the government that their business won’t be affected again. “We need assurance from the government, the police and the disciplined forces that they are going to provide us with security because right now we have staff who are scared for their lives,” said Raju. “We still have four other outlets that can provide service and we can still supply essential food as well as medical supplies that the people require but assurance is what we need before we can operate again.” With the amount of destruction done, Raju expressed that this has affected them as CPL is a PNG grown company and that its profits and benefits made, goes to helping those who are members of Nasfund and Nambawan Supa. “The question we ask ourselves is, they have looted our shops but why burn them?” “For this has been a total devastation on our part as a business.” Meanwhile, founder of CPL Group, Sir Mahesh Patel, also shared sentiments after expressing disappointment on what has happened. He said despite this, there were a good number of people from church groups as well as youth groups who have come forward to offer help in whatever way they can to CPL. “We really have good people here but what upsets me are those who have taken advantage and have ruined our reputation.” “We need to stand up together and fight this because this can’t happen again, and I don’t want it too either.” In addition, he also stated that the backbone of their company has always been their staff right across the country and is hard to see them affected by what has happened. CPL is not only known for its supermarkets, but also for its pharmacies, hardware stores, coffee shops and household and appliance stores and has always played a big part in providing essential and affordable service to many Papua New Guineans across the country.