29 Dec 2005

PNG settlers launch court action to fight eviction order

4:08 pm on 29 December 2005

Settlers around the Papua New Guinea city of Lae have launched court action against the provincial administrator to stop him from evicting them.

The action comes after Manasupe Zurenuoc defied instructions from the provincial governor by issuing an eviction notice to more than 3,000 settlers.

The Ahi community has been lobbying authorities to move the settlers after their leader was attacked by men outside Lae.

However the governor, Luther Wenge, said he was against evictions because some of the settlers had been there for more than 30 years and the issue was complex.

Mr Zurenuoc is expected to appear in court this week in response to the settlers' motion which calls for a stop to the eviction exercise.