Cop shot during eviction

By CRETILDA ALOKAKA
and KELVIN JOE
A POLICEMAN was injured when evicted squatters tried to stop their removal from a company-owned land in Morata, Port Moresby, say police.
National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent Gideon Ikumu confirmed that the policeman was shot with a bow and arrow when the court-ordered
eviction began on Wednesday.
“We do not know if it was a settler who shot him, but he is seeking medical attention at the Port Moresby General Hospital,” he said.
“He will be monitored by doctors and nurses for the next 24 hours in case the arrow had poison on it.”
Ikumu said the officer was a member of a police unit patrolling the area.
They were sent to Morata to ensure that the eviction exercise was carried out smoothly.
The 60-hectare land, known as Portion 2733 and located between the University of PNG, Gerehu Stage 3B and Morata One, is owned by Sixth Estate Ltd.
Managing director Philip Paguk told The National the locally-owned company would continue with the eviction until the area is fully cleared for development.
“We have already cleared about 20 per cent of the area, and will continue in the coming days,” he said.
His company bought the state land in 2011 but was unable to develop it because of conflicts which resulted in numerous court cases.
“A plan has been already established because we have the capacity and capability to develop this area,” he said.
Paguk said since June 2013, notices to vacate the land were served on the settlers and published in the newspapers.
But they ignored them and continued to build new homes.
Police Commissioner David Manning said police were carrying out the eviction as per the court order issued on July 25.
Manning pointed out that the welfare of the settlers should also be considered and required a holistic approach.
He said the issue of repatriation was for the developer or the lawful owner of the land to consider.
“Repatriating these settlers into a location of their choice is not the responsibility of the police (although) we at times exercise compassion on all parties involved,” he said.
Manning said, despite criticisms of police on how much they had put into this eviction instead of focusing on law and order issues in the country, it was a coincidence that the eviction was in one of the hotspots of crime in Port Moresby.
“The eviction can be seen as an opportunity to kick start a police intervention on addressing the law and order issues in the city,” he said.