Soldiers torched stalls, councillor says

 SOLDIERS at Moem barracks in Wewak have been blamed for torching down three market stalls and a prayer house at Moem village last weekend.

Village councillor John Kalsup claims a third market stall was partly pulled down by the soldiers who had allegedly wanted to claim state ownership over a customary land.

Attempts by The National to get comments from Lt Col Vince Gabina at the Moem Barracks yesterday failed. 

The telephone lines to the barracks were not working.

The burnt houses are located on the road leading to the army barracks. 

They are about 200m from the entrance to the barracks.

“We being civilians feel hurt and threatened when the military acts with aggression on behalf of the State when dealing with land matters,” Kalsup said. 

“There are appropriate channels, procedures and persons to deal with land acquisition

“Why has the army decided to dominate land that belongs to the Moem people by using force against unarmed civilians?”

He called on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Governor Sir Michael Somare, Defence Minister Dr Fabian Pok and Defence Force Commander Francis Agwi to investigate the matter.

In order to solve of those problems, Kalsup suggested that:

• Survey for land boundaries clarifications be conducted;
• the barracks be relocated to the Urimo reserve; and,
• Villagers hurt in the incident be compensated.