FIVE houses including a semi-permanent building were burnt to the ground in what police believed as reprisal revenge by relatives of a nine year-old girl who died following an attempted rape incident over the weekend in North Malaita.
The incident happened at Arao village, West Baelelea.
Aukli police said the burning of homes was believed to be carried out by angry relatives of the nine year old girl who died at Kilu’ufi hospital, Auki early Sunday morning.
Police said the girl died as result of sustaining severe injury to her head believed cut with an axe by her attacker who had attempted to rape her.
Auki Police said they have arrested a suspect over the incident whom police have placed in custody for questioning in their investigation.
Malaita Provincial Police commander Alfred Uiga said, five houses at Arao village were burnt to the ground by what appears to be a reprisal revenge for the killing by angry relatives of the dead girl.
Meanwhile the Provincial Police commander warned that taking the law into own hands by burning homes are an act of arson punishable by law.
Mr Uiga said police are investigating the burning of homes at Arao village and are appealing to members of the public to provide them with information which could lead to the arrest of suspects involved in the burning.
By WILLIAM EKOTANI
In Auki
