The Goilala community residing at the Kasia settlement just outside Bomana in Port Moresby, are taking matters into their own hands by going to the legal process to get justice for the destruction of their homes, allegedly by police and Correctional Service (CS) Officers earlier this year.
It been almost three months and those innocent people whose lives have been affected are now seeking justice in the court.
It was alleged that more than 40 homes were burnt down to ashes and the community is now living in makeshift shelters since April.
A community leader, who requested anonymity, said they are now taking the matter to court to seek justice, since it has taken too long to address the issue.
The community leader said the matter stemmed off from a fight involving a CS officer and youths from the settlement over marijuana, which he alleged that the officers was looking to purchase the drug.
“When the boys replied that they had no drug, that’s when the fight started and he went back to get reinforcement and that’s when police personnel came in and destroyed our homes,’’ he said.
“Our livelihoods have been ransacked without compassion and mercy from our law enforcement units. Our lives have been destroyed. When they came in, they burnt down 40 houses and even went to the extent of killing our livestock including pigs, chicken and ducks.“
I will address the matter in court to question the integrity of the police force which has failed to comply with the law to settle the issue.
He also added that since the attack, their movements have been restricted. School children and mothers cannot access markets to sell garden produce to earn an income for their families.
He said their only hope is through the courts that they can find justice.