Papua New Guinea landowners near a rumoured gold stash have told the National Court they want their cut if the treasure is found by police and soldiers.
There a claims that 1,000 gold bars weighing 12.5 kg each were left by the Japanese during the Second World War and are still in vaults inside a secret mountain cave in New Ireland province.
Their lawyer Andrew Maipson says the state needs to come to a proper arrangement with traditional landowners who may be sitting on a gold cache.
"They have been living in fear because of the presence of security forces, but after these orders, I think there would be an understanding of where the police and defence would reach with my clients - they all are parties of the same thing. So I believe after this things will go back to normal."
He says he cannot confirm whether there is gold bullion on the land.
