Armed police raid Porgera villagers

October 2, 1996
Issue 
249

Armed police raid Porgera villagers

More than 200 armed PNG police raided houses along the Porgera River on August 31. Police claimed they were attempting to recover property stolen during a riot by disgruntled landholders at the Porgeras gold mine. The Porgera River Alluvial Miners Association (PRAMA) accused the Porgera Joint Venture (PJV) of using its security guards and hiring armed policemen to conduct the raids and loot household items belonging to PRAMA members and other villagers along the river.

PRAMA chairperson Opis Papo charged that security guards and police raided his house and confiscated his computer. Documentation prepared for a compensation claim against the PJV in the National Court was also confiscated. PRAMA is claiming compensation for environmental damages to the Porgera River system by mining operations.

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