As part of its major clean up exercise, Police in the city of Mt Hagen in the Western Highlands Province, have removed a major illegal wholesale and retail betel nut market at Suara next to the Mount Hagen main market.
Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent John Sagom said the clean-up was to maintain cleanliness within the city and to avoid petty crimes.
He sounded a warning to city residents that police would not tolerate any illegal markets within the city. He said police have issued warnings numerous times, but people are deliberately being ignorant and disrespecting the city laws.
He said police are now going to remove illegal markets within the city to ensure betel nuts are only sold at the designated markets. The PPC said selling betel nuts illegally at the unauthorised markets and locations contribute to lawlessness in the city.
The vendors create a safe haven for criminals, create litter and cause unnecessary traffic congestions. Mr Sagom said Mount Hagen is the third major city in the country and everyone in the city should be responsible for their rubbish and should learn to keep the city clean.
“I know buai (betel nut) selling is a business, but those people selling betel nuts must use the designated buai markets at Okapana, outside of the Highlands Highway,Top Town, at Keltiga, and Kamnavur at Baiyer road.
“I appeal to all the Western Highlanders and other city residents to cooperate with the police and the City Commission to keep our city clean. People must respect the efforts of police officers and the City Commission in containing lawlessness in the city and keeping it clean.
“Police will not hesitate to come down hard on anyone who sees fit to break any city laws. We will use all reasonable force under the law to arrest and prosecute anyone found breaking the laws,” Mr Sagom said.