A United Kingdom research centre is worried a Papua New Guinea police hunt for a Paga Hill community leader is designed to intimidate the Paga Hill residents.
About 300 people were moved from Upper Paga Hill to custom land at Six Mile in Port Moresby, though police deny they were forcibly evicted.
The PNG co-ordinator of the International State Crime Initiative, Kristian Lasslett, says the police are alleging that Joe Moses is wanted for resisting arrest, inciting a fight, discharging a firearm, and escaping police custody.
He says Joe Moses denies all charges and is in hiding fearing for his life.
Dr Lasslett says Joe Moses still has an appeal before the court over the removal of residents from Paga Hill, and he's worried this police manhunt is being used to terrorise the Paga Hill community.
