State to pay villagers K2.6mil

THE State will pay over K2 million to Para villagers in the Komo area of Hela after police illegally raided their homes on Oct 4, 2013.
Presiding judge David Cannings at the National Court in Waigani on Monday ordered that the 61 villagers who were affected by the illegal actions of the police would all be paid a total sum of K2,668,091.95, including interest.
Justice Cannings awarded to each plaintiff who gave evidence in the following amounts:

• Special damages (property losses), K1,177,207.50;
• General damages for pain and suffering, and distress K10,000 to each plaintiff, a total of K610,000;
• Compensation for breaches of human rights, K5,000 each, a total of K305,000; and,
• Exemplary damages, K5,000 each, a total of K305,000.

The total of damages awarded was K2,397,207.50
In addition, each plaintiff was awarded interest on the amount of damages awarded to them at the rate of two per cent per annum, for the period from the date of the filing of the writ to the date of judgment, a period of 5.65 years, a total of K270,884.45.
The total judgment sum was K2,668,091.95.
The plaintiffs Lemson Mabiria and Andy Hamaga on their behalf and on behalf of other clan members of the Honoka clan, of Para village in Hela had sued the defendants in connection with a police raid at their village.
The defendants in the case were, then Hela police commander Jimmy Ondopia, then police commissioner Gari Baki, and the State.
Justice Cannings conducted a trial and last Nov 20, he found that the defendants were liable for human rights breaches against the plaintiffs.
The Court heard that the police raid was undertaken in response to the murder of two Chinese nationals who had been killed in Tari.
The police arrived at the village in search for suspects but were evidently not satisfied with the level of cooperation they received.
The police set fire to various dwelling houses, guesthouses and trade stores.
There was no court order authorising the raid.