What was meant to be a simple trip to town turned into a nightmare for a woman and her 13-year-old daughter, after they were allegedly beaten by supermarket employees in an incident that has sparked outrage and calls for accountability. The woman was taken to Madang Provincial Hospital’s emergency ward and treated for serious injuries. Her daughter, though not physically harmed, is under police protection while investigations continue. Madang Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Robert Baim said more arrests are expected following the detention of two suspects — David Junior, warehouse supervisor at Yaho Supermarket, and Micah Tandaku, a shop assistant. Both have been charged with assault causing serious bodily harm under section 340 of the Criminal Code and unlawful detention. “This is a matter we are taking very seriously,” Baim said. “The right thing to do, if someone is suspected of shoplifting, is to report them to the police. No one has the right to take the law into their own hands and physically harm another person.” According to the woman, the incident happened on Saturday, the day before Mother’s Day. She and her daughter had travelled from Utu village in South Ambenob Local Level Government (LLG), Madang District, to sell betel nut in town. They made K46 by midday and entered Yaho Supermarket to buy food. She purchased a 1kg packet of rice and walked with her daughter to the locker area, receipt in hand. Security guards allegedly accused her of theft after seeing her daughter next to a trolley containing store goods. The guards reportedly dragged them to the back of the store without allowing an explanation. Police have confirmed the girl is a key witness. Her statement is being handled with care due to her age. A female officer involved in the case said, “She is scared and shaken, but she’s helping us. What happened is being treated seriously.” Police have obtained a search warrant and declared Yaho Supermarket a crime scene. CCTV footage is under review to verify the sequence of events and identify all those involved. Commander Baim said everyone seen in the footage participating in the assault will be arrested, including the store owners, who are alleged to have allowed or encouraged the attack. David Junior admitted to police that he was wrong to take matters into his own hands. He claimed the woman and her daughter had been caught shoplifting twice before and said they had previously been made to "do some work" as punishment. “This was the third time, and I lost control,” he said. But Commander Baim was firm: “Even if they were caught stealing, the law does not permit vigilante justice. No one has the right to assault another person — least of all a woman and her child.” Baim urged the public to let police handle the case. “If you saw something or know something, come forward to the police — not to the media or social media. Help us ensure justice is done.” A full medical report on the woman’s injuries is expected later this week.