BUS STRIKE AFFECTS PORT MORESBY

Commuters traveling between Waigani, Boroko and Down Town Port Moresby, were left stranded for more than two hours today, after P-M-V drivers decided to pull their buses off the road in protest over police assault.

The brief bus strike forced commuters with urgent appointments, to catch taxis to Town, Boroko and Waigani.

A Bus driver, Jeffery Wek told NBC News, their action was in support of two colleagues and their crew who were assaulted this morning, as well as over the alleged harassment and intimidation by police officers over the years.

Wek claims, some corrupt policemen always demand bus drivers to pay a spot fine of between 20 and 50 kina, to be allowed to continue on their route, or are assaulted if they fail to pay.

He said, police should not take the law into their own hands and commit such offenses, but must issue them Traffic Infringement Notices and allow the proper process to be completed.

Meanwhile, Senior Inspector Joe Salle from the Boroko Police Station said, the policemen involved have stepped out of line by assaulting the bus drivers and their crew, therefore will be charged if a complaint is lodged by against them.