Eviction of settlers will continue, police say

THE eviction of illegal settlers in Nagada, Madang, by police will continue until the Lutheran church-owned land is cleared, a senior police officer says.
Asst Comm of Police Northern Command (ACP) Peter Guinness said he had instructed police on the ground to make sure settlers have moved out as ordered by the court.
“The land, as declared by a court of law, belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran church of Papua New Guinea (ELCPNG),” he said.
ACP Guinness said the notice to the settlers to vacate the land had been given and they had ample time to move but they decided to take the matter to court and it ruled in favour of the church.
He said police would be present to ensure the eviction was done without incident.
The church aims to develop the land for its church work and to earn revenue from it.