Police told to enforce orders not take sides in land disputes

By PISAI GUMAR
POLICE enforce the orders of the court as part of their duty and do not take sides in any land disputes, Morobe police commander Augustine Wampe says.
He was referring to the eviction of families living on customary land at Bampurompon Mpur near Nadzab, Wampar in Huon Gulf, Morobe.
Wampe said police were only acting on the district court directive obtained by Para Gedisa Omot from Montar Meyab Naron clan.
“Police are a government agency and a neutral body to provide peace and security among aggrieved parties,” he said.
“Our presence is to ensure peace and that the aggrieved parties find amicable ways to resolve their disputes. We are only complying with the district court directive.”
Wampe said the particular land issue had gone to court before it ordered the evictions.
“It is the infighting over land ownership between two cousin brothers whose parents were brother and sister,” he said.
Huon Gulf district officer Cliff Wembiong said it was interesting to note that the particular land case was awaiting a provincial land court determination.
“Among 70 land cases, 10 were heard last year while 60 cases still pending in court that includes the Bampurompon Mpur land ownership dispute,” Wembiong said.