Evict settlers around Madang

Letters

MADANG town is a peaceful and beautiful town, but due to the increase in law and order problems, the town has been given a bad reputation.
Every week, there are petty crimes, robbery or homicide committed and due to the lack of manpower in the police force, people are helpless, especially when they need police presence.
Most of the crimes and other law and order issues are caused by youths and teenagers living in settlements around the town.
Churches have tried to organise crusade and outreach, but people are just ignorant.
They do not want to change.
I feel sorry for the local villagers from Raicoast, North coast and other districts of Madang as many times, they are being robbed after selling their cash crops (cocoa, copra and garden produce) or when doing their shopping before returning home.
It feels as if the birth right of the local people of Madang has been taken from them as they walk in their own town with fear and not pride.
Even local communities within the township of Madang such as Karanget and Yabob have been influenced by those in the settlements, which results in their youths being involved in causing law and order problems and harbouring other criminals.
I think the provincial government should carry out an eviction exercise to settlements such as what the West New Britain government is doing.
Most of the law and order problems are created by the people living in settlements around the town.
If we don’t address this, Madang will not change.
I appeal to all Madang leaders to consider this .

Mangi Rai