PNG: Relatives of Slain Police Officer Block Highlands Highway

The family of a Papua New Guinea police constable killed in an ambush have blocked a section of the Highlands Highway in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, demanding justice for his death. Constable Harry Gorano succumbed to his injuries in intensive care two weeks ago after spending three weeks in a coma. He was attacked alongside colleagues in the Southern Highlands in January during which fellow officer Constable Noel Biape was fatally shot. Gorano's relatives, frustrated by the lack of arrests in the case, staged the roadblock early today, halting traffic on a key transit route. They have repeatedly called for authorities to apprehend those responsible for the ambush. Additional personnel have been deployed to Goroka to assist local officers in managing tensions. Forces in neighboring regions have also been placed on standby amid concerns the protest could spark broader unrest. The incident highlights ongoing risks faced by PNG's police force. Since 2017, over 20 officers have been killed in the line of duty, with many perpetrators still at large. Investigations into Constable Gorano's death remain ongoing.