‘Forced’ eviction condemned

Minister for Lands and Physical Planning and Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko has condemned the actions of a group of people using force to evict tenants from their homes.
Tkatchenko made this statement after a victim, Aora Auwe, 65, from Gulf, was attacked by surprise when a group of armed people tried to take her house by force on Thursday at around 11am. Auwe had been living with her family for more than 37 years in Sabama, Port Moresby.
Tkatchenko, in a press conference on Friday at Sabama, said it was a disgrace where innocent people in their communities were being targeted.
“They have been falsifying documents with the Lands Department and National Housing Corporation to get land illegally,” he said.
“Not only that, coming here like she is a criminal with bush knives and guns terrorising and forcing her family out so they can occupy this space. This is not going to happen on my watch in Moresby South and in our community.
“We will work together to fight and expose this type of people. This has happened four times already. Enough is enough,” Tkatchenko said.
The group demanded Auwe and her family tomove their stuff out of the house claiming that they had the title for the land and the house.
“I was running back and forth and I told my children and family not to retaliate. As soon as police arrived the men fled in all directions,” Auwe said.
Badili police station commander Senior Sergeant Bill Wareke, said he was saddened by the manner in which the group had come and it was not right.
“We have authorities in place where they should go to before coming here but they took things upon themselves and came here to terrorise these innocent families, damaging their properties.”