BY LYNETTE KIL and JOHNNY POIYA

Two grade nine students at different high schools in the Highlands have become victims of violence allegedly by members of the disciplined forces.

In separate incidents last Friday, one was shot dead in Enga province and the other was beaten up badly in Jiwaka province.

Police and PNG Defence Force personnel on post-election duties have been blamed.

Enga police commander Chief Superintendent George Kakas yesterday confirmed that the Grade 9 boy, attending Ganim high school in Wapenamanda, died of gunshot wounds allegedly fired by soldiers.

“The circumstances surrounding the death and actions of the soldiers are yet to be made clear with investigation underway.

“Following the death, relatives of the deceased chopped down trees and gathered huge rocks and set up four roadblocks at Yaiboss village on Saturday demanding police to arrest the soldiers before the road block could be lifted,” Mr Kakas said.

He visited the area and asked the relatives to clear the road and lodge an official complaint with the criminal investigation division, which they did.

Mr Kakas said he also met with the commanding officer of the Defence Force team based in Wapenamanda to stand down the soldiers allegedly involved in the shooting for investigations to start.

According to an eye witness, three soldiers in a hired vehicle at Aipipas village near Highlands Lutheran International School, opened fire in a public place and killed Grade 9 student, Isaiah Etee.

“He was killed on the spot like a criminal as I watched the events unfold,” the witness said.

In Jiwaka, Grade 9 student Nandex Jeff sustained serious facial injuries after he was allegedly beaten by soldiers and policemen.

Nandex was caught after a vehicle chase from Mt Hagen to Jiwaka.

After class at Mt Hagen Secondary last Friday, Nandex was offered a lift to his village in Kindeng, Jiwaka province, not knowing that the vehicle owner had asked police to impound the Landcruiser because the son and his friends were seen drinking in it.

Police gave chase when they sighted the vehicle near Kimininga, which hit a vehicle driven by soldiers, who also gave chase.

The occupants fled on foot after abandoning Nandex and the vehicle at Panga. Nadex said he tried to explain his innocence but was beaten by the angry soldiers and police.

He is under medication.