Police to carry out eviction on court order

 POLICE will execute evictions orders on land and properties in Port Moresby only if there is valid court order, Assistant Police Commissioner Sylvester Kalaut says.

Kalaut, who is Officer In-Charge of Central and the National Capital District, was reacting to reports of land grabbing and property claims in Port Moresby.

“We will be dealing only with people who need assistance for evictions if they produce a valid court order or summary ejectment order,” Kalaut said.

He said it was difficult for police to assist people who wanted others evicted from what they claimed as their land or property if there was no order from the court.

“All parties must go to court, settle it, and get court orders for eviction or summary ejection orders that will empower police to assist in the eviction,” he said.

He advised the public to be aware of what to do before seeking police assistance. 

Kalaut said a lot of land and properties in Port Moresby were under dispute and police had to deal with the National Housing Corporation and Lands Department. 

He said recent evictions conducted by police were instructed by the NCD supported by valid documents from the court. 

He said customary land issues would not be entertained.

Lately there had been reports of land grabbing by outsiders on local Motuans lands and the authorities were not happy with such activity.

They instead encouraged Motuans to preserve their land and make commercial deals to develop land.