Villagers terrorise students

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
POLICE had to be called in on Monday to reopen a school that villagers in Wabag, Enga Province, closed to demand compensation for the use of their land.
The Namen clansmen terrified teachers and students when they marched into Kopen Secondary School, locked the main gate and closed the administration building.
The landowners did not notify the school or the provincial education authorities when they surprised the students and teachers at 7am. 
The school was closed for four hours before police intervened and took control.
The villagers, led by principal landowner Peter Waigem Tupukaim, claimed that they were only paid K300,000 in 1996 for improvements on the land.
They said no compensation had been paid. They claimed the Lands Department had surveyed and registered the land.
In a meeting with provincial police commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari yesterday in Wabag, the landowners demanded that compensation for the land be paid immediately. They also threatened to close the school indefinitely if no payment was made.
Lakari said the villagers had not damaged any school property. They only locked the main gate and administration building.
He said the situation was under control and classes resumed yesterday.