Police in the nation’s capital are concerned over the number of illegal settlements popping up in the city when executing their duties. Most of these illegal settlements have been settling on land where landowners had been identified by the courts and eviction has occurred. The Acting Metropolitan Superintendent Mazuc Rubiang confirmed that the vacant land portion at Garden Hills that was evicted in December 2021, is now being occupied by settlers that may cause threat to the genuine people residing there. Mr. Mazuc Rubiang confirmed that makeshift structures have been erected in the area, and more people are moving in to settle there. He noted that these settlers are now operating illegal markets on the roadside, creating hazards for residents traveling to their homes in the Garden Hills area. "Since the court has identified the landowners, the police assisted in evicting the illegal settlers. Now, the landowners must take responsibility for their land by preventing further trespassing and finding ways to develop it. The Garden Hills Settlement has been a major issue in the past; after the eviction, there were fewer law and order problems in Boroko, Waigani Central, and surrounding areas. However, with the return of illegal settlers, those issues are rising again. Residents have filed many complaints against the settlers," said Supt. Rubiang. Rubiang noted that Police have been receiving daily complaints from settlements in the city, including Kipo, Two Mile Hills, Morata, and some new areas popping up in the suburbs. He urged landowners who have received titles to ensure they have the proper legal documents before seeking police assistance in removing illegal settlers. “I have noticed that many street vendors come from places where they do not have permanent residence, like the 2021 eviction site in Garden Hills. Because they lack permanent homes, they can easily move around and avoid accountability. We need to stop them from occupying land that belongs to others,” Rubiang said. He then thanked his police officers for their respond to report from Garden Hills, regarding settlers' criminal activities, roadside vending, drunkards disturbing residents, and even the ones the police had put fires from the settlers. “I want the landowners to come forward so we can discuss how to best remove the settlers. If we do not act now, their numbers will increase, leading to more problems in the future,” Supt. Rubiang warned.