Police hunt leaders of invasion of isolated Indians' land
February 2, 2007
This page was created in 2007 and may contain language which is now outdated.
Police have launched a search for a fraudulent lawyer who sold false land titles inside the territory of the isolated Uru Eu Wau Wau tribe. As a result of his actions, hundreds of people poured in to the Indians' land.
The authorities have removed many settlers, confiscated arms and vehicles and arrested dozens of people.
However some settlers continue to live illegally inside the reserve. Uru Eu Wau Wau leaders have vowed that if the government's Indian affairs agency, FUNAI, does not remove them immediately, they will take matters into their own hands.
The longer the settlers remain on the Indians’ land, the more environmental damage they will cause. The Indians are concerned that others may try to invade their land again.
The Uru Eu Wau Wau territory is also home to about four groups of uncontacted Indians who will be exposed to fatal diseases if the territory is not properly protected.