Villagers protest against cemetery being dug up

Hoboimo Clan members caused a “stop work” this morning at Elevala village after bulldozers moved in to dig up their community cemetery.

Shocked villagers moved in to stand in the path of the bulldozers which were sent in by the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) to clear up the plot to make way for a new road development.

PNG Loop observed angry villagers and emotional mothers and elders shouting at the contract workers to stop what they were doing and leave.

An NCD official, Temu Eli, spoke to the villagers trying to calm tensions but was told to leave by elders who say that there was no proper consultation with them to move the remains of their loved ones to Nine Mile.

The bulldozers have since been turned around with angry villagers now pushing for a consultation meeting   with the village elders while legal advice will also be sought.

An elder, Kohu Heni, says that a meeting will take place tonight.

He also expressed disappointment at the manner in which the bulldozers were brought in and started digging up the cemetery.

Women leader Boni Heni says that the machinery came at about  9am and started to plough up the front of the cemetery plot but was stopped by the shocked villagers who say that they never agreed with the contractors to carry out this work.

She says that last week villagers from the Hagwa area agreed to have remains from a cemetery plot of theirs dug up and relocated to Nine Mile, however for the Hoboimo clan, their elders remain adamant that they will not allow their loved ones to be removed from their land.

The bulldozers have been sent away, however before leaving Eli told villagers that he will return tomorrow to speak with them.

Author: 
Julianna Waeda