Magistrates challenge dismissals

MORE than 30 village court magistrates are challenging their dismissal by the Mul Baiyer district administration and local level government over the past five years.
Sim 1 village court area vice-chairman Laliwa Trakapya said they were appointed by the community and the LLG approved it.
He said their dismissals were illegal.
He said that in his case, he was not given any notice.
Despite their dismissals, he said, he and some of them were still presiding over cases.
He challenged the provincial administrator, village court secretariate and police to ignore all their court decisions, release people that they had sent to prison and refund all the fines imposed.
Mr Trakapya said that if necessary, they would seek legal action.
Paypowa People’s Association chairman John Parcigiaen also urged the authorities to quickly look into the matter.
He said public servants in the Baiyer district had not been performing their duties for the past three years and tribal conflicts were common.