Police call for calm
MALAITA Province Police commander Alfred Uiga is calling for calm after eight homes were burnt in retaliation for a death of an elderly man.
Mr Uiga told the Solomon Star in Auki, police are taking control of the situation at a village called Zion, along the South Road, Malaita.
“I condemned in strongest terms such illegal actions and warned people concerned to refrain from taking laws in their own hands,” he said.
Police told the Solomon Star in Auki, the incident was sparked by the death of a man in his 70s at Oibola on Saturday morning, along the South Road.
According to the reports from police, the elderly man arrived to sell some goods when another person who was reportedly drunk approached him and demanded money.
“The elderly man told that person he has just arrived and was yet to sell anything.
“The man then attacked the elderly person who reportedly fell unconscious but later died.”
Police said they responded promptly resulting in the arrest of the suspect, but a group returned and retaliated as the result of the death.
“As a result eight dwelling homes were burnt aground on Saturday afternoon.”
The Malaita police commander said it was a criminal act and those involved will be investigated and arrested.
He said some of the families whose homes were burnt we never part of the problem.
“As a result, the families are now homeless. This is a criminal act and must be stopped.
“I urged parties involved to refrain from anymore criminal act and allow police to deal with the problem.
“While the situation is sensitive, I call on the parties concern to remain calm and allow the law to take its course.”
He called on anyone who has any information on the incidents to assist police in their investigations.
By BIRIAU WILSON SAENI in Auki
