Police to apply forceful eviction to settlers failing to comply to warning

Police in Madang have issued a stern warning to settlers at Mero and Public Tank to refrain from causing further problems to the traveling public or they will face imminent eviction.

Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent Robert Baim issued the warning this morning following disturbances along the north coast highway since yesterday, disrupting the flow of traffic.

The killing of a man from Ramu by residents of the Wosera community on Tuesday has sparked off what police say a ‘retaliatory attack’ yesterday by Ramu settlers.

Police managed to contain the situation, however, tension escalated again overnight when police left the area.

PPC Baim said police will execute forceful eviction on the settlers if further problems arise in this particular area.

He said the same settlers have been repeatedly causing problems, disturbing peace in the community and disrupting innocent commuters along the North Coast highway.

Acting Superintendent Baim confirmed with NBC News this morning that the road has been cleared for commuters and travellers. But police are closely monitoring the situation.

He was unable to give details of the circumstances surrounding the killing as he is yet to obtain a full report by police investigators.