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| Layman attacked over land dispute | |
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By ELIZABETH VUVU A CATHOLIC church worker in East New Britain was attacked by three men following a dispute over the Takubar plantation in Kokopo. Police have arrested and charged the trio with causing grievous bodily harm. Norbert ToKivung, 48, from Bitagalip in Kokopo sustained wounds to his wrist and lost some of his teeth in the attack. Police named the accused as president of the Takubar Indigenous Land Rights Association, Peter Virit, his son Jack and Michael Parau. The land rights group was claiming ownership of the land that is currently registered to the Catholic Church. Kokopo senior police detective David Yapu said what had happened was not in the best interest of the parties involved. He said there were proper avenues to settle such disputes. There is now tension in the area as Livuan and Ramale wards have mobilised and formed another group. Meanwhile, Catholic Archbishop Karl Hesse said the matter was now in the hands of police. He said the church had not made any false promises; instead it has gone to the people’s aid by giving up church land. Archbishop Karl denied any outstanding land negotiations with the Takubar people. He said the church, through previous negotiations, has released 52.3ha of land that was going through the normal legal process for change of ownership to the locals there. He said any delays caused were beyond the church’s control and the church denied being responsible. Archbishop Karl said it was unfortunate that the Land Act has been misinterpreted and had caused a lot of misunderstanding and confusion. |
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