BETHEL Community in East Fataleka in Malaita Province has refuted a police statement regarding the raid at their community on the early hours last Thursday, to arrest suspect Knoxly Atu.
Community members spoken to said what was released by the Police Commissioner in the media is far from the truth regarding the raid.
Villagers claimed the unprofessional way police conducted the raid has angered the whole community to behave the way they did.
“Police fired tear gas on us first and that is a fact.”
“We only react when tear gas started affecting us, and yet the Police said our reaction is unprovoked.”
“If only they showed up in the daytime, and asked properly, we would inform them that the person they want is currently away in a nearby village.”
“They attacked our community when the suspect was not even present at home,” the community members claimed.
One community member spoken to said the way police conducted the raid is provoking, confusing, and intimidating.
Villagers are of the view that those PRT officers involved in the raid must have told liars to the Police Commissioner which is evident in his media response.
In the Police Commissioner issued statement regarding the incident, Mr Mostyn Mangau encouraged the community to lodge their complaint for further investigation.
“If community is not happy with the police actions of the PRT officers then the Professional Standard Internal Investigation (PSII) office is there to lodge your complaints for further investigation.”
It is unclear at this stage whether the community will raise their compliant through the PSII or not.
By WILSON SAENI
In Auki
