POLICE have arrested a total of 217 people including 33 juveniles who allegedly involved in the looting and rioting during the recent unrest in Honiara.
Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said of them have already appeared in court and remanded while others are still under investigations.
“This arrests covered day one (November 24) to December 1,” Mr Mangau said.
With this number of arrest, Mr Mangau is also calling on the public to come forward and assist investigators with evidence.
“I urge the public to come forward and assist investigators with evidence so we can complete the investigation and deal with those suspects apprehend during the riot and days after the riot,” Mr Mangau told reporters yesterday at his weekly conference.
Mr Mangau also clarified that there are two investigations underway, one for the looting and riot while another one is focusing on the instigators.
“One investigation is focusing on the looting and riot while the other another one looks at instigators of this current riot.
He called on citizens throughout the country to remain calm and not to participate in such criminal activity that had happened over the past days of unrest in the city.
On November 24, a group of people who came from Malaita came to stage a protest calling on the Prime Minister to step down.
The protest then turned violent when a good number of people in the city joined in and caused havoc in the city.
A number of shops and businesses in the city were looted and torched to the ground.
Three locals also lost their lives a a result of the arson.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Newsroom, Honiara
