The Malaita for Democracy (M4D) front man Knoxley Atu says he did not escape to Malaita rather he returned to his home land where he belongs.
Mr Atu was responding to a report published by this paper last week.
In response he said it is wrong to say he escaped to Malaita when actually he returns to his native home.
The M4D president said people viewed M4D negatively without knowing M4D highlighted issues affecting Malaita that have been left untouched by longtime politicians.
With that, he said to blame M4D for the recent burning and looting in Honiara is not right.
“M4D knows about the protest but not the burning and looting.
“The burning and looting was never on the M4D agenda.”
He said those involved in the burning and looting are those innocent people who got frustrated when aggravatingly hit by police teargas and ill-treatment caused by police in the suburbs of Honiara on the second day.
With that, he said police should equally take the blame as they triggered civilians to react aggressively after hitting them with teargas and rubber bullets.
He said the protest is a genuine one demanding a peaceful dialogue with the Prime Minister (PM) and Members of Parliament (MPs).
He claimed instead the PM and MPs escaped and ordered police to fire teargas and rubber bullets rather than resolving to peaceful dialogue.
Speaking of violence, he blamed the police who started the act of violence towards innocent citizens that caused violence to escalate for three solid days in Honiara.
By WILSON SAENI
Auki News Bureau
